The US Secret Service issued a statement following the fatal shooting of an armed intruder at Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate. Authorities reported that a young white male, believed to be in his 20s, was confronted and killed after being spotted with a gas can and a shotgun in the early hours of Saturday. Despite being instructed to drop the weapons, the intruder raised his shotgun in a threatening manner, prompting two Secret Service agents to discharge their firearms to eliminate the danger. The intruder succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

According to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, the suspect hailed from North Carolina and had been reported missing by his family a few days earlier. He breached the north gate of Mar-a-Lago while another vehicle was leaving, and the shotgun was later found in his vehicle.

“In the early hours of February 22, a male in his early 20s was shot by U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy after breaching the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago,” the US Secret Service statement detailed.

“The individual, whose identity is pending notification of next of kin, was fatally wounded. He was seen near the north gate of Mar-a-Lago carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.

“Law enforcement officers from the U.S. Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office engaged with the individual, resulting in shots being fired. No personnel from the Secret Service or Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office sustained injuries. Notably, there were no individuals under Secret Service protection present during the incident.

“The circumstances surrounding the individual’s background, behavior, possible motives, and the use of force are under scrutiny by the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. As per protocol, the involved Secret Service agents will be on administrative leave while the investigation unfolds.”