(AP) — A man carrying what appeared to be a shotgun was shot and killed Sunday after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach resort owned by President Donald Trump, the U.S. Secret Service said.
In a statement, the agency said the individual was spotted near the north gate of the property with what agents believed to be a shotgun and a fuel can. Secret Service personnel, along with a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, discharged their weapons after the man breached the restricted area.
The individual’s name has not been released. Authorities did not immediately provide additional details about his identity, motive or whether he made verbal threats before being shot.
President Donald Trump was at the White House at the time of the incident. The president frequently spends weekends at the Florida estate, but he was in Washington on Saturday night, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, according to officials familiar with his schedule.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the shooting.
The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the president and securing locations where he resides or visits. Mar-a-Lago, located in Palm Beach, is designated as a restricted area whenever the president is present and is often subject to heightened security protocols even when he is not on site.
The agency did not indicate whether the man attempted to enter any buildings on the property or how far he progressed into the secured zone before the shooting occurred. It also did not specify whether the suspect discharged his weapon.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is assisting in the investigation, and standard protocol calls for a review of the use of force by the agencies involved. Such reviews typically include an examination of body camera footage, surveillance video and forensic evidence.
Mar-a-Lago has long been a focal point for presidential security operations. During Trump’s presidency, the estate functioned as a winter White House, requiring coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Even outside of official visits, the property remains a high-profile location due to its association with the president.
Security experts note that any approach to a restricted perimeter while visibly armed would likely prompt an immediate and forceful response. Federal agents are authorized to use lethal force when they perceive an imminent threat to protectees or secure facilities.
The presence of what agents described as a shotgun and a fuel can may raise additional questions for investigators about the suspect’s intentions. Authorities have not elaborated on whether the fuel can was filled or whether it factored into their assessment of the threat.
Incidents involving security perimeters around current or former presidents are rare but treated with the highest level of urgency. Law enforcement agencies typically conduct layered security assessments around such properties, including controlled access points and continuous monitoring.
As the investigation proceeds, officials are expected to determine whether the individual acted alone and whether there were prior warnings or indicators leading up to the breach.
The Secret Service said further information would be released as it becomes available.
AP original
