An armed man was shot and killed by law enforcement early Sunday after entering the secured perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
According to a statement from the U.S. Secret Service, the individual — described as a man in his 20s — approached the property around 1:30 a.m. Eastern Time while carrying a shotgun and a fuel can. He was confronted by Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the man was ordered to drop his weapon. When he instead raised the shotgun into what officials described as a shooting position, agents and the deputy discharged their firearms. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured, and no individuals under Secret Service protection were harmed during the incident.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said the review will examine the suspect’s background, actions, potential motive, and the circumstances surrounding the use of force. In line with agency protocol, the agents involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw confirmed during a brief press conference that two Secret Service agents and one deputy encountered the suspect near the property’s front gate. Authorities also displayed a photo of the weapon and the fuel container recovered at the scene.
Investigators have asked residents in the surrounding area to review any home security or doorbell camera footage that may assist the inquiry. The suspect’s identity has not yet been publicly released.
The incident follows previous security concerns in the area, including a 2024 attempted attack near Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach. Officials emphasized that Sunday’s event remains under active investigation and that additional details will be released as they become availaible.