A male in his early 20s was shot and killed during an encounter with U.S. Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office after an unauthorized entry into the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago, according to a statement issued by the United States Secret Service.
The Secret Service said the incident occurred on February 22, at around 1:30 a.m., when the individual entered the secured area. The individual’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
According to the statement, the individual was observed near the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can. Secret Service agents and the PBSO deputy confronted the individual, and shots were fired by law enforcement during the encounter. The individual was pronounced deceased.
The Secret Service said no Secret Service or PBSO personnel were injured, and no Secret Service protectees were present at the location at the time of the incident.
The Secret Service stated that 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. In accordance with agency policy, the involved Secret Service agents will be placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
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