Armed Man Shot Dead at Mar-a-Lago by Trump’s Secret Service Was a 21-Year-Old From N.C.
NYT Homepage
by Sonia A. RaoFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A 21-year-old man from North Carolina, identified as Austin Tucker Martin, was fatally shot by law enforcement at Mar-a-Lago in Florida after breaching the perimeter with a shotgun and a fuel canister. The incident occurred early Sunday morning when Martin was confronted by Secret Service agents and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office officers inside the gated community. He complied with dropping the fuel canister but raised the shotgun, leading to his fatal shooting.
Martin, a recent high school graduate, had started an artwork company focused on creating detailed drawings of golf courses. Family members shared on social media that he went missing before the incident and expressed their shock and grief over the tragedy. Authorities believe Martin likely drove from North Carolina to Florida on Saturday afternoon, based on online posts and statements from local officials.
The shooting took place around 1:30 a.m. near the north gate of Mar-a-Lago. President Trump was not at the resort during the incident, which followed several high-profile security breaches targeting him in recent years, including two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign. Martin’s family shared emotional posts on social media throughout the weekend, revealing their concern for his whereabouts and their devastation over the outcome.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between personal freedoms and security measures at Mar-a-Lago, a property closely associated with former President Trump. The circumstances surrounding Martin’s actions and intentions remain under investigation, raising questions about mental health awareness and access to firearms in the U.S.
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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/22/2026