Breaking: Armed Man Shot Breaking Into Mar-A-Lago Carrying Fuel Can, Shotgun

An armed intruder who breached the secure perimeter of President Donald J. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate was shot and killed early Sunday morning after a confrontation with law enforcement, authorities confirmed.

The incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m., according to The Hill, when the individual entered a restricted area of the Palm Beach property. U.S. Secret Service agents, along with a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), responded immediately.

NBC News reported that both Secret Service personnel and a PBSO deputy discharged their weapons during the encounter.

President Trump was not at the Florida residence at the time. He was in Washington, D.C., hosting a meeting with the nation’s governors at the White House as part of his second term in office.

In an official statement, the Secret Service said the suspect was carrying “what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.”

“U.S. Secret Service agents and a PBSO deputy confronted the individual and shots were fired by law enforcement during the encounter,” the statement read.

“No U.S. Secret Service or PBSO personnel were injured,” the agency confirmed.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased individual.

“The incident, including the individual’s background, actions, potential motive, and the use of force, is under investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office,” the Secret Service statement said.

As is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings, the agents involved have been placed on administrative leave “pending the outcome of the investigation.”

According to USA Today, Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that no Secret Service protectees were present at the residence during the breach.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw provided additional details, telling the BBC that the suspect was “just inside the inner perimeter of the compound.”

Law enforcement officers ordered the individual to “Drop the items,” Bradshaw said.

While the man reportedly dropped the gasoline can, he then raised the shotgun in what authorities described as a threatening motion, prompting agents to open fire to neutralize the danger.

The latest incident comes amid heightened concerns about threats against the president. During the 2024 campaign, President Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was shot in the ear during a July rally. A second individual, Ryan Routh, was later apprehended and recently sentenced to prison in connection with a separate 2024 attempt to target the president.

Security concerns have also extended beyond Mar-a-Lago. Just last week, an 18-year-old suspect was arrested after U.S. Capitol Police interrupted his dash toward the Capitol complex. While lawmakers were out of town, congressional staff were present at the time.

According to NBC, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the suspect was wearing a tactical vest and gloves and carried a loaded shotgun. Authorities also discovered additional shotgun rounds, along with a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask inside the suspect’s vehicle.

For many Americans, the repeated targeting of President Trump underscores the increasingly volatile political climate — and the essential role of federal and local law enforcement in protecting elected leaders and preserving constitutional order.

The investigation into Sunday’s breach remains ongoing.