PALM BEACH, Florida – The would-be assassin shot dead by law enforcement early Sunday at President’s Donald Trump’s home in Palm Beach, Florida, has now been identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from Cameron, North Carolina.
The Associated Press reports: “He had been reported missing by his family a few days ago, and investigators believe he headed south and picked up the shotgun along the way.”
Tucker "Austin" Martin was reported missing by his family in Carthage, NC this morning. The same name has been dropped as the deceased shooter at Mar-a-Lago. pic.twitter.com/x5FXWNAxYL
— Kim "Katie" USA (@KimKatieUSA) February 22, 2026
The box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle, said Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.
“The man drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting and was confronted by Secret Service agents,” Guglielmi added, according to AP.
“The agents confronted the armed man, and he was fatally shot. Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation.”
🔥🚨 BREAKING: Man IDENTIFIED as 21-year-old, Austin Tucker Martin, who breached the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago and attempted to kill President Trump.
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) February 22, 2026
Tucker was reported missing by his parents and was LAST SEEN on Feburay 21st at 7:51pm pic.twitter.com/AZNVrvMsr3
In North Carolina, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office posted a statement on Facebook about the intruder, indicating: “The Moore County Sheriff’s Office confirms that on February 22, 2026, at approximately 1:38 a.m., a relative of 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin approached a deputy at a local business and reported him missing. He was subsequently entered into a national missing person database.
“Following that report, federal authorities informed the Sheriff’s Office that they are conducting an active investigation in Florida involving Martin. At their request, the missing person case information has been turned over to federal investigators. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office had no prior history involving Martin before the missing person report.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X: “In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home.
“Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”
In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home. Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our… https://t.co/MYTsHqR4cx
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 22, 2026
Democrats voted to defund Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations (who partner with Secret Service) and all the intelligence and law enforcement functions that support Secret Service.
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) February 22, 2026
Never before in history has federal law enforcement been purposefully defunded.
“At 1:30 this morning, the security detail detected that an individual had made his way into the inner perimeter of Mar-a-Lago,” said Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. “A deputy and two Secret Service agents on the detail went to that area to investigate.
“They confronted white male that was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him, at which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position.
“At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat. He is deceased at the scene.”
WATCH:
Palm Beach County sheriff on man killed at Mar-a-Lago: "At 1:30 this morning, the security detail detected that an individual had made his way into the inner perimeter of Mar-a-Lago ... they confronted a white man that was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. He was ordered to drop… pic.twitter.com/U4VbA5rhy3
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 22, 2026
FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago - where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter. We will continue working closely with @SecretService as well our…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 22, 2026
I have been speaking with President Trump and coordinating with our federal partners throughout the morning regarding the intrusion and shooting at Mar-A-Lago.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) February 22, 2026
Grateful that @potus and our law enforcement agents are safe.
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