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White House Issues Major Update After Secret Service Fatally Shoots Gunman At Mar-a-Lago
The White House has issued a major update after the Secret Service fatally shot a gunman who broke into President Trump‘s Mar-a-Lago residence last night (February 22).
It’s safe to say that Donald Trump’s second term in office has been nothing short of tumultuous.
His first assassination attempt came during his 2024 election campaign, in which he was shot in the ear, merely missing death by moving his head by inches prior to the gunshot being fired.
And while prior ratings showed Trump as a highly popular President – things have taken a turn as of recently.
One thing is for sure – there’s millions of Americans who do not want him in office.
What happened at Mar-a-Lago?
The man was seen by the north gate of the Florida property at around 1.30 a.m. local time on Sunday.
US media have since reported that the young man was reported missing by his family several days ago.
Rick Bradshaw, the sheriff of Palm Beach County, said the man made it into Mar-a-Lago’s inner perimeter by entering as another vehicle was exiting.
The man raised his shotgun to the shooting position, as he was approached by a deputy and two Secret Service agents.
Authorities have stated that the armed man last night was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.
Speaking to reporters, Bradshaw said: “The only words we said to him was ‘drop the items.’
“He put the gas can down and pointed the shotgun at the officers.”
The sheriff noted that the agents ‘fired their weapons and neutralized the threat’ in an instance.
The President is yet to issue a statement following the threat.
Karoline Leavitt issues response to the attack threat
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement following the break-in at Mar-a-Lago.
She wrote: “In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home.
“Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans.”
Suspect identified
After neutralizing the threat, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi identified the suspect as Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old from North Carolina.
Guglielmi reported that investigators believe Martin left North Carolina and headed south, picking up his shotgun along the way.
The box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle.
Officers are working to compile a psychological profile of the man, while the motive remains under investigation.
‘I can’t believe he would do something like this’
Martin, the suspect, was ‘from family of Trump supporters,’ according to his relatives.
During an interview with the Associated Press, the suspect’s cousin, Braeden Fields, 19, said: “We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody.”
He commented that his cousin, Martin, was ‘real quiet’ and ‘never really talked about anything.’
Fields added that the suspect was a ‘good kid,’ and sent every pay cheque from his job at a local golf course to charity.
“I can’t believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing.”
White House issues update
In a statement, the White House stated that ‘all necessary resources’ are being dispatched to work on the case, including FBI officers, who are leading the investigation.
Speaking on X (formerly Twitter) FBI director Kash Patel said: “FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago – where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter.
“We will continue working closely with @SecretService as well our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able.”
Authorities also confirmed that while Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House when the breach occurred around 1:30 a.m.
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