Victim’s Text Messages Revealed After Man Passes Away Outside Mar-a-Lago

As previously reported, officials say Martin drove into the gates of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting. He then entered the inner perimeter of the property carrying a shotgun and a gas can.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said during a press conference that the deceased was “ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them.”

“At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position.” That’s when officers “neutralized the threat.” Two Secret Service agents and one sheriff’s deputy confronted him during the encounter.

According to the New York Post, Martin had been reported missing by his family on Saturday, just hours before the dramatic confrontation unfolded.

By Sunday at around 1:30 a.m., he was dead following the tense encounter with Secret Service agents and Palm Beach County deputies.

Investigation and Political Reaction

A box for the shotgun was later discovered inside Austin’s vehicle. Investigators are still probing whether he purchased the weapon while traveling to Florida.

Authorities have urged residents in South Florida to check their security cameras for possible footage showing Austin before the shooting. Officials have not confirmed whether he was previously known to law enforcement.

President Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago during the incident. He was in Washington, D.C., hosting the Governors’ Dinner at the White House alongside First Lady Melania Trump.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly praised the Secret Service’s response in a post on X. “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,” she wrote.

She also reportedly criticized Democrats over a partial government shutdown affecting Homeland Security since February 14, calling their actions “shameful and reckless.”

FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly said on X that the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.

A Pattern of Security Scares

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