Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of Cameron, North Carolina, was shot and killed early Sunday after allegedly entering the secured perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, while armed with what officials described as a shotgun and a fuel canister. According to law enforcement, U.S. Secret Service agents and Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies confronted Martin near the north gate of the property around 1:30 a.m.

Officers ordered him to drop the items he was carrying. Authorities said Martin put down the fuel canister but raised the shotgun into what was described as a “shooting position,” prompting officers to open fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured.

Investigators believe Martin drove from North Carolina to Florida the day before the incident. Reports from family members and local officials indicate he had recently become focused on developments in the case involving disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

According to TMZ, Martin sent a text message to a co-worker on Feb. 15 referencing newly released Justice Department documents related to Epstein. In the message, he wrote about “evil” being real and urged others to raise awareness about what he described as government actions surrounding the case. Following recent document disclosures, Martin reportedly expressed concern that a cover-up was underway.

Martin graduated from Union Pines High School in 2023 and had recently launched an art business, Fresh Sky Illustrations, focused on golf course-themed artwork. State records list him as a registered voter unaffiliated with a political party.

His cousin, Braeden Fields, told The Associated Press that Martin came from a family of strong Trump supporters and described him as quiet and inexperienced with firearms. Fields said Martin disliked using guns and had little familiarity with them.

Federal and local authorities continue to investigate the incident.