Armed Man Shot Dead After Attempting to Enter Trump's Florida Residence

The United States Secret Service shot dead an armed man who attempted to enter the grounds of US President Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, in the early hours of Sunday (22 February), according to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.

“An armed man was shot and killed by US Secret Service agents and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) after unlawfully entering the security perimeter at Mar-a-Lago this morning,” Guglielmi said on the X platform.

The man, described as being in his twenties, was spotted at the northern gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying a long-barrelled rifle and a fuel canister, according to the Secret Service statement. He was subsequently confronted and fatally shot by Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy.

No agents or law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at a press conference that the suspect, a white male, was shot dead after pointing his rifle at officers.

“He was ordered to put down the two items he was carrying. He set down the petrol canister and raised the rifle to a firing position. At that point, the deputy and two Secret Service agents opened fire and neutralised the threat. He was pronounced dead at the scene,” Bradshaw said.

The sheriff added that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is serving as the lead agency in the investigation, with support from Palm Beach County law enforcement.

An FBI field official also urged local residents to check their security cameras for any footage that could assist the investigation.