Armed Intruder Fatally Shot by Secret Service at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Estate
U.S. Secret Service agents and a sheriff's deputy fatally shot an armed man who breached the security perimeter of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 1:30 am local time while Trump was in Washington, D.C., and no protectees were present at the property.
Confrontation at the North Gate
The suspect, described as a man in his early 20s, was spotted near the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying a shotgun and a fuel container. According to the Secret Service, agents confronted the individual and ordered him to drop the items.
"The only words that we said to him was 'drop the items' which means the gas can and the shotgun," Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters during a press briefing. "At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position."
When the man raised his weapon toward agents, a deputy and two Secret Service agents opened fire. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene, and no law enforcement officers were injured during the confrontation.
Security Context and Previous Incidents
This security breach represents the latest in a series of incidents involving political violence in a highly polarized United States. Donald Trump, who frequently spends weekends at Mar-a-Lago, has been the target of multiple assassination plots and attempts throughout his political career.
Earlier this month, Ryan Routh, 59, was sentenced to life in prison for plotting to assassinate Trump at a Florida golf course in September 2024, just two months before the presidential election. That planned attack followed the July 2024 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania where 20-year-old Matthew Crooks fired several shots during a rally, one grazing Trump's right ear and resulting in the death of a rally attendee.
In September 2025, conservative influencer and Trump ally Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on a Utah college campus, prompting widespread grief among conservatives and threats from Trump to crack down on political opponents.
Investigation and Aftermath
The identity of the suspect in Sunday's incident has not been released as officials work to notify his relatives. The Secret Service, responsible for protecting current and former presidents, their families, major election candidates, and visiting foreign heads of state, has launched a standard investigation into the shooting.
There was no immediate reaction from the White House regarding the incident. The Secret Service confirmed that standard protocols were followed during the confrontation and emphasized that no one under their protection was present at Mar-a-Lago when the breach occurred.
This event highlights ongoing security challenges facing high-profile political figures in the United States and raises questions about perimeter security at private residences of former presidents. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the suspect's motives and whether he acted alone.
