Secret Service assertion in FULL as armed man killed at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago property

The US Secret Service has released a statement after an armed man was killed when trying to break in to Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate.

Officers said a white male, aged in his 20s, was confronted and shot dead after he was seen carrying a gas can and a shotgun during the early hours of Saturday. He was ordered to drop the items, but raised his shotgun to shooting position, which led to two Secret Service agents firing their weapons and neutralising the threat. The man died at the scene.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the suspect was from North Carolina and had been reported missing a few days ago by his family. He had driven through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting, and the box for the shotgun was later recovered in his vehicle. The man has not yet been formally identified.

Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House during the incident.

“On February 22, around 1:30 a.m., a male in his early 20s was shot by U.S. Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) following an unauthorized entry into the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago,” a statement from the US Secret Service said.

“The individual, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced deceased. The individual was observed by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property 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. No U.S. Secret Service or PBSO personnel were injured. There were no Secret Service protectees present at the location at the time of the incident.

“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.”m