An armed man was shot and killed by law enforcement early Sunday after entering a secured area near 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 container. He was confronted by Secret Service agents along with a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said the man was instructed to drop the weapon. Authorities reported that when he did not comply and instead raised the firearm, officers discharged their weapons. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured, and no individuals under Secret Service protection were harmed.
The FBI is leading the investigation, working alongside the Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The review will examine the suspect’s background, actions, possible motive, and the circumstances surrounding the use of force. In accordance with standard procedure, the agents involved have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw confirmed during a press briefing that two Secret Service agents and one deputy encountered the individual near the property’s front gate. Authorities displayed an image of the firearm and fuel container recovered at the scene.
Investigators are asking nearby residents to review any home security or doorbell camera footage that may assist with the case. The suspect’s identity has not yet been publicly released.
Officials emphasized that the incident remains under active investigation and that additional details will be shared as they become available.