The FBI has identified the gunman who was shot dead at Trump’s Florida gate
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The FBI and the US Secret Service have released more information after an armed man entered the secure Mar-a-Lago compound, President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach, Fla., estate on Sunday morning.
The FBI identified the man as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of North Carolina. He was shot dead in this incident.
Florida authorities said the man was carrying gas and a gun. He entered the north gate of the property as another vehicle pulled out and was met by two Secret Service officers and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
“He was ordered to drop those two machines he had. At that time he put down the gas. [and] raised a gun at the shooting range,” Bradshaw said at a brief news conference. The two agents and a deputy “fired their weapons to eliminate the threat.”
It is believed that he bought his gun while driving south, said Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, and a gun case was found in the man’s car.
Investigators have not yet determined a motive.
The White House press secretary, Caroline Leavitt, wrote in X that “the United States Secret Service took immediate action to ensure that no crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas mask, entered President Trump’s home.”
Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile. Asked if the man was known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said “not yet.”
The FBI encouraged residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.
In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau would “dedicate all necessary resources” to the investigation.
The suspect’s cousin was surprised
The Moore County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina said a relative of Martin reported her missing Sunday morning.
On Sunday afternoon, traffic blocked the driveway of a property listed in public records as Martin’s address at the end of a private road in Cameron, NC.
Braeden Fields, Martin’s cousin, reacted with disbelief. He described Martin as a quiet person, afraid of guns and a family member of ardent Trump supporters.
“He’s a good kid,” said Fields, 19. He said they grew up together. “I couldn’t believe he would do something like this. It’s crazy.”
He said Martin worked at a local golf club and was sending money with every paycheck to a charity.
He wouldn’t even hurt an elf. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun,” said Fields. He said his cousin never discussed politics.
“We’re big Trump supporters, all of us. Everyone,” Fields said, but her cousin was “really quiet, never really said anything.”
The attack at Mar-a-Lago happened just a few miles from the West Palm Beach club where a gunman was arrested while Trump was playing golf in September 2024.
The US Secret Service acknowledged the failure on Friday that led to the gunman being able to injure former president Donald Trump at a meeting in Butler, Pa., on July 13.
A Secret Service agent saw the man, Ryan Routh, pointing a gun at a tree before Trump showed up. Routh was convicted last year and sentenced to life in prison this month.
Trump also suffered an ear injury in an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, which strengthened his supporters in the presidential election campaign. The gunman, identified as Thomas Crooks in the incident in Butler, Pa., fired eight times, killing a rally attendee, before he was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.
