Armed Intruder Shot by Secret Service at Mar-a-Lago
An armed individual was shot and killed by the U.S. Secret Service early Sunday morning after breaching the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach, Florida resort owned by former President Donald Trump. At the time of the incident, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was seen near the north gate of the property carrying a shotgun and a fuel can, according to the Secret Service. The confrontation occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw provided details during a brief press conference, explaining that the man was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy. “He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw stated. The agents and deputy then fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.
Residents near the Mar-a-Lago area have been asked by the FBI to review any security footage that might aid the investigation.
The suspect was in his early 20s and originally from North Carolina, reported missing several days prior by his family. Investigators suspect he traveled south from North Carolina, acquiring a shotgun en route. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi noted that the gun’s box was located in the suspect’s vehicle. The man allegedly drove through Mar-a-Lago’s north gate as another vehicle exited.
Efforts to establish a psychological profile and determine a motive are ongoing. Sheriff Bradshaw mentioned that the individual was not previously known to law enforcement.
This incident adds to a series of politically charged attacks in recent years, including notable events like the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and a series of violent acts against political figures and properties.
The breach at Mar-a-Lago happened near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club, where an assassination attempt on Trump occurred during the 2024 election. In that incident, Secret Service agent intervention prevented Ryan Routh from targeting Trump. Routh was later convicted and received a life sentence.
Another assassination attempt took place at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman was killed after firing shots at Trump. The White House has not issued a comment regarding the recent incident.
