On Sunday, February 22, 2026, a serious incident occurred at Donald Trump's Florida residence. 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin breached the gate of the Mar-a-Lago estate, armed with a shotgun and flammable materials. After refusing to drop his weapon and assuming a firing stance, the attacker was shot and killed by Secret Service agents. The incident prompted an immediate reinforcement of security around the former president and reignited the debate about the safety of politicians in the USA.

Death of the intruder at Mar-a-Lago

A 21-year-old armed man was shot and killed by Secret Service agents after breaching the estate's gate.

Findings regarding the perpetrator

The identification of Martin Austin Tucker points to a resident of North Carolina, whose disappearance was reported on the night of the attack.

FBI federal investigation

The agency is investigating the attacker's motives and his travel route through several U.S. states.

Donald Trump's security

The former president was unharmed, but security at the residence has been significantly reinforced.

The incident occurred around 1:30 AM local time in Palm Beach. Austin Tucker Martin drove a vehicle through the northern gate of the Mar-a-Lago residence. Available information indicates that the perpetrator was armed with a pump-action shotgun and possessed a canister of gasoline. Secret Service officers attempted to subdue the intruder, but when he aimed his weapon at them, they opened fire. The attacker died at the scene. None of the agents or estate staff were injured in the confrontation. The Secret Service rarely resorts to the use of lethal force. However, the last few decades have seen an increase in the professionalism and aggressiveness of protection in response to the assassination attempts of the 1960s and 1980s. From an investigative perspective, the timing of the report about the perpetrator's disappearance is a significant fact. Martin's family notified the Moore County Sheriff's Office on Sunday at 1:38 AM, just minutes after the man breached the security in Palm Beach. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently investigating the 21-year-old's motives, including any links to radical groups or potential mental health issues. Authorities are trying to determine the 21-year-old's motives and the origin of the weapon he used during the incident. Trump's residence was completely sealed off from the outside world after the attack, and the surrounding area was declared a high-security zone. 22:30 — time of the first reports identifying the perpetrator The latest reports indicate that the attacker's origins from a family traditionally supportive of Republicans has surprised his relatives and acquaintances. Donald Trump, who was at the White House in Washington D.C. at the time of the attack, was unharmed. The White House, condemning the violence, emphasized the professionalism of the uniformed services. This incident is another element in a series of disturbing events surrounding the former president, which, in the atmosphere of growing social polarization in the United States, is becoming a key topic in the political campaigns of both sides. Agencies involved in securing the incident scene: Secret Service: 1, FBI: 1, Palm Beach Police: 1, Moore County Sheriff's Office: 1

Mentioned People

  • Donald Trump — Former U.S. president and owner of the Mar-a-Lago estate, present at the property during the incident.
  • Austin Tucker Martin — 21-year-old perpetrator of the break-in and attack, shot and killed by protection officers.