Intruder Shot at Mar-a-Lago: Trump Comments on Security Incident

Overview of the Incident at Mar-a-Lago

Following the shooting of an armed intruder at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about his future safety. This incident marks his first public comment since the event, where he stated, "I don't know how long I'll be around. I have a lot of people gunning for me, don't I?"

Details of the Mar-a-Lago Breach

On Sunday morning, an armed individual was fatally shot after breaching the security perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private residence and club located in Palm Beach, Florida. At the time, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House. The incident occurred around 1:30 AM near the north gate of the property. The United States Secret Service reported that the intruder was seen near the gate carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.

The suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from North Carolina. Authorities found a shotgun box in Martin's vehicle, indicating he had acquired the weapon during his travels. Investigators are currently examining Martin's communications prior to the incident. Text messages obtained indicate that he had strong opinions about the release of the Epstein Files, with one message from February 15, 2026, stating, "evil is real and unmistakable," and urging others to raise awareness about perceived government inaction.