Secret Service Shoots and Kills Armed Man Attempting to Breach Mar-a-Lago

U.S. Secret Service agents shot and killed an armed man early Sunday morning after he unlawfully entered a secure perimeter at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. EST, according to officials.

Details of the Incident

The man, identified as being in his early 20s and from North Carolina, was carrying a shotgun and a gas can when he was confronted by a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy and two Secret Service agents . Authorities ordered him to drop the items. After putting down the gas can, he raised the shotgun, prompting the agents and deputy to open fire, neutralizing the threat .

Investigators have revealed that the man had been reported missing by his family days prior and is believed to have traveled south, acquiring the shotgun along the way. The box for the shotgun was found in his vehicle .

The suspect reportedly breached the north gate of Mar-a-Lago while another vehicle was exiting the premises .

Trump’s Location and Investigation

Former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were not at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the incident, as they were in Washington, D.C. .

The FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Secret Service and the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office .

Recent Political Violence

This incident occurs amid a backdrop of increasing political violence in the United States. In 2024, former President Trump faced two assassination attempts, including one at his golf course in West Palm Beach. Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota state lawmaker, and conservative activist Charlie Kirk were both assassinated in 2025 .