An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after entering the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
According to Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the United States Secret Service, the individual was spotted near the north gate of the property around 1:30 a.m. carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can. Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confronted the man, and law enforcement discharged their weapons during the encounter.
No agents or deputies were injured, and no protectees were present at the property at the time. Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump were reportedly in Washington, D.C., during the incident.
Investigation Underway
The FBI, Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are jointly investigating the shooting, including the individual’s background, actions and possible motive. In accordance with agency policy, the Secret Service agents involved have been placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the review.
The man’s identity has not been publicly released, pending notification of next of kin.
Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said the bureau is dedicating necessary resources to the investigation and will continue coordinating with federal and local partners.
Part of a Broader Pattern of Threats
The incident is the latest in a series of threats and attempted attacks targeting Trump in recent years. In July 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks allegedly attempted to shoot Trump at a campaign rally before being killed by a Secret Service sniper. Trump sustained a gunshot wound to his ear in that incident.
In a separate case months later, Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested after allegedly hiding with a rifle near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club. A Secret Service agent fired at him before he could shoot, and he later received a federal prison sentence.
Authorities have not yet announced further details regarding the latest Mar-a-Lago breach as the investigation continues.
