By Paul Joseph
An armed man believed to be in his 20s was shot by federal agents early Sunday after breaching the inner security perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, the Florida residence of the U.S. President Donald Trump.
The United States Secret Service said the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m., when agents confronted the suspect alongside deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters that the man was carrying a petrol can and a shotgun when he was intercepted on the property.
According to Bradshaw, officers ordered the suspect to drop the items. He reportedly complied by dropping the petrol can but then raised the shotgun into what authorities described as a firing position.
Agents immediately opened fire, neutralising the threat. No law enforcement officer was injured in the confrontation.
Officials confirmed that none of the Secret Service protectees were present at the property at the time of the breach. Trump was reportedly in Washington, D.C., over the weekend.
Authorities have not released the identity of the suspect. It remains unclear how many shots were fired or whether the shotgun was loaded. All officers involved in the incident were equipped with body cameras.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting with evidence collection and forensic analysis as the investigation continues.
Law enforcement officials said the motive behind the attempted breach remains unknown.
The latest incident marks another security scare involving the former president.
In September 2024, a man identified as Ryan Routh was intercepted near Trump International Golf Club and later convicted of attempting to assassinate Trump.
Earlier, in July 2024, a gunman opened fire during a campaign rally in Butler, injuring Trump before being fatally shot by agents.
Mar-a-Lago, often referred to as the “Winter White House,” is a historic Spanish-style mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. Purchased by Trump in 1985, the estate now operates as a private members’ club and regularly hosts political gatherings and high-profile social events.
Investigators say further details will be released as the probe progresses.
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