Featured Image Credit: Al Drago/Getty Images
Topics: News, US News, Donald Trump
Kit Roberts
Secret service personnel shot dead a man who entered the secure area of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, and have now named the suspect.
According to law enforcement, the individual had allegedly been carrying a shotgun and a gas canister when he was seen by the north gate of the Florida estate on Sunday (February 22).
Now, the man who was killed has been identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, an illustrator from Cameron, North Carolina. It's believed that he was reported missing by his family on Saturday.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters that Martin had been confronted by agents at around 1.30am.
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Bradshaw said that Martin had 'raised the shotgun to a shooting position'.
He added: “At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons.”
Martin was confirmed to have died at the scene.
Bradshaw explained that there is now an investigation underway as to how the incident happened. Investigators have not identified a motive.
It has also been confirmed that Trump was not present at Mar-a-Lago, where he conducts a lot of his business, at the time of the incident.
“There’s a lot more investigation to be done,” the sheriff said. “Fortunately, nobody was in jeopardy inside because of the quick action that was taken by the deputies and the Secret Service.”
Since the incident, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has also taken to social media, posting on X that agents 'acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person', and saying that the individual had 'intruded President Trump’s home'.
Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel said they were 'dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation' of the incident.
“We will continue working closely with @SecretService as well our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able,” he added.
In a statement shared on Sunday morning, Secret Service Chief of Communication Anthony Guglielmi said: “On February 22, around 1.30am, a male in his early 20s was shot by US Secret Service agents and deputy from the Palm Beach county sheriff’s office (PBSO) following an unauthorised entry in the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago.
“The individual, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced deceased. The individual was observed by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.
“US Secret Service agents and a PBSO deputy confronted the individual and shots were fire by law enforcement during the encounter. No US Secret Service or PBSO personnel were injured. There were no Secret Service protectees at the location at the time of the incident.”
UNILAD previously contacted the White House for comment.