Armed man shot dead after ‘unauthorised entry’ into Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort

The United States Secret Service agents on Sunday killed an armed man after he made an “unauthorised entry” into the secure perimeter of US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

In a statement, the Secret Service said that the white man, in his early 20s, was carrying a shotgun and a fuel canister when he was confronted near the north gate of the resort.

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“On February 22, around 1:30 a.m., a male in his early 20s was shot by U.S. Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) following an unauthorized entry into the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago,” the agency said, adding, “The identity of the deceased suspect is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.”

The agency further stated that its agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy confronted the armed man and shots were fired by law enforcement during the encounter.

“No U.S. Secret Service or PBSO personnel were injured. There were no Secret Service protectees present at the location at the time of the incident,” the statement noted.

The Secret Service, along with the FBI and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the incident, including the individual’s background, actions, potential motive, and the use of force.

“In accordance with agency policy, the involved Secret Service agents will be placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” the statement added.

Trump was not present at the resort when the incident happened.

This was not the first security scare for President Trump. Earlier in July 2024, Trump narrowly escaped when a man shot at him during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed in the incident.

A rally attendee was killed and two others were seriously injured. Trump also sustained injuries to his ear in the attack.

Later in September 2024, the Secret Service foiled another assassination attempt when they spotted an armed man at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.

The accused named Ryan Routh fled the scene but was caught later. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to assassinate the US President.