An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after trying to enter the secure grounds of Mar-a-Lago, according to the United States Secret Service.
The confrontation unfolded around 1:30 a.m. near the north gate of President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. Trump was not there at the time. He was at the White House, along with First Lady Melania Trump.
Agents on duty spotted a young man approaching the property carrying what officials described as a shotgun and a fuel can. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said officers gave one clear command: “drop the items.” He explained, “The only words that we said to him was ‘drop the items’ which means the gas can and the shotgun.”
According to Bradshaw, the suspect complied halfway.
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“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 said.
That was the turning point.
Two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy opened fire. Bradshaw said they “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”
The man, believed to be in his early 20s, died at the scene. His name has not yet been released.
Officials later revealed he was from North Carolina and had recently been reported missing by family members. Investigators believe he drove south in the days before the incident. A box for the shotgun was recovered from his vehicle.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the man managed to get through the north gate as another vehicle was exiting, creating a brief but dangerous opening in the security perimeter.
The FBI is now asking nearby residents to check home surveillance footage for anything that could help piece together his movements. Authorities are also working to determine motive. When asked whether the suspect was known to law enforcement, Bradshaw responded, “not right now.”
The incident comes amid continued concerns over threats against political figures.
Trump has been the target of two assassination plots. One suspect aimed a rifle at his West Palm Beach golf club. Another fired shots at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, before being killed by a counter sniper.
Sunday’s breach happened only a few miles from that golf club.
Featured image via X screengrab
