Armed man, 21, shot dead near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida identified - as White House slams 'crazy intruder'

Earlier, investigators said the man, from North Carolina, was reported missing by his family a few days ago.

President Trump was not at his home in Florida when Martin was shot dead at around 1.30am local time on Sunday by Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO).

Officials say he was seen by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.

A statement by the Secret Service said agents and a PBSO deputy confronted the individual, and shots were fired by law enforcement.

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At a press conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw he was ordered to put down the fuel can and gun.

He reportedly put down the can and "raised the shotgun to a shooting position". At this point, he was shot by officers and "neutralised".

Responding to the shooting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, 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.

"Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department."

Investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, adding that the box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle.

Mr Guglielmi said the man drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting.

No Secret Service or PBSO personnel were injured. There were no Secret Service protectees present at the location at the time of the incident.

The FBI asked residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.

Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile, and a motive is still under investigation.

Asked whether the individual was known to law enforcement, Mr Bradshaw said "not right now".=

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that he has spoken with President Trump.

Mr Bessent said Mr Trump and his family are safe, but added: "They shouldn’t have to endure attempt after attempt."

The incident comes as the US has been rocked multiple times in recent years by political violence.

Just last year, it included the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the assassination of the Democratic leader in the Minnesota state house and her husband and the shooting of another legislator and his wife, and an arson attack at the official residence of Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro.

The incursion on Saturday at Mr Trump's Florida home is a few miles from his West Palm Beach golf club, where a man tried to assassinate Mr Trump while he played golf during the 2024 election.

A Secret Service agent spotted that man, Ryan Routh, aiming a rifle through the shrubbery before Mr Trump came into view.

Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire and caused Routh to drop his weapon.

Routh was found guilty last year and sentenced this month to life in prison.

That incident came months after Mr Trump survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania campaign rally.

That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Mr Trump's ear, before being shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.