A 21-year-old North Carolina man, Austin Tucker Martin, was shot and killed early Sunday after entering the grounds of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. According to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, Martin approached the property around 1:30 a.m. carrying a gas can and a shotgun. Authorities said he was confronted near the north gate by Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated that Martin raised the shotgun toward officers and was immediately shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A box for the weapon was later found inside his vehicle, a silver 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, which his family confirmed belonged to him.
Family and Co-Workers Describe Conflicting Portraits
Martin’s cousin, Braeden Fields, described him as quiet, charitable and raised in a strongly pro-Trump household. Fields said the family were “big Trump supporters” and expressed disbelief that Martin would carry out such an act, portraying him as someone uncomfortable with firearms and unlikely to hurt anyone.
However, anonymous co-workers from Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in North Carolina told TMZ that Martin had recently become intensely focused on the Justice Department’s handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A February 15 text message reportedly shows Martin describing the Epstein files as evidence that “evil is real” and urging others to raise awareness about what the government was doing.
Co-workers said he frequently spoke about powerful elites “getting away with it,” expressed frustration about the U.S. economy, and had unsuccessfully attempted to organize a union at his workplace. They described him as open about his Christian faith and increasingly preoccupied with political grievances.
Possible Motivations Remain Under Investigation
Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive. Martin had previously been reported missing by his family and is believed to have obtained the shotgun while traveling south. Investigators are examining his recent communications, movements and state of mind to determine what led him to the Florida resort.
The incident adds to ongoing political tensions surrounding the Epstein files and security concerns at properties associated with former President Donald Trump. Law enforcement officials have emphasized that the investigation remains active, and further details may emerge as authorities continue reviewing evidence.
