Armed man shot and killed after entering perimeter of Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence

A man has been shot dead by Secret Service agents after trying to unlawfully enter Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, authorities in the US have said.

The man was seen by the north gate of the Florida property at around 1.30am local time (6.30am UK time) on Sunday. He was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can, officials added.

US media have identified the suspect as Austin Tucker Martin - a 21-year-old who was reported missing by his family a few days ago.

Rick Bradshaw, the sheriff of Palm Beach County, said the man made it into Mar-a-Lago's inner perimeter. He is believed to have driven through the north gate of the estate as another vehicle was exiting.

The man raised his shotgun to a shooting position after being confronted by a deputy and two Secret Service agents, who then "fired their weapons and neutralised the threat", the sheriff added.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the suspect was in his early 20s and from North Carolina.

According to Mr Guglielmi, investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way. The box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle.

Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile while the motive is still under investigation.

Suspect 'from family of Trump supporters', says relative

The suspect's cousin, Braeden Fields, 19, spoke with a reporter from the Associated Press, stating: "We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody."

But he said his relative didn't discuss politics and was "real quiet, never really talked about anything".

"He's a good kid," Mr Fields said, adding that Martin sent part of every pay cheque from his job at a local golf course to charity.

"I wouldn't believe he would do something like this. It's mind-blowing."

While Mr Trump often spends the weekends at Mar-a-Lago, he was at the White House with his wife Melania when the incident took place.

White House praises Secret Service

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Secret Service had acted "quickly and decisively to neutralise a crazy person" who had intruded into Mr Trump's home.

She wrote on X: "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."

Earlier this month, Democrats in the US Senate blocked a funding package for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Secret Service, over their opposition to an immigration crackdown that has triggered widespread protests and seen two people killed in Minneapolis.

The FBI has asked residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras as they may have footage that could help investigators.

Five days ago, US Capitol Police arrested a Georgia gunman armed with a shotgun as he sprinted towards the west side of the Capitol.

Read more on Sky News:
Trump sending 'great hospital boat' to Greenland
US president announces new global tariffs

Mr Trump previously faced a threat to his life when he was wounded during an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on 13 July 2024.

On 15 September 2024, a man with a rifle was captured after waiting near Mr Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach while the president played a round. He was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month.

(c) Sky News 2026: Armed man shot and killed after entering perimeter of Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence