Austin Tucker Martin, 21, believed the president was a ‘strong leader,’ sources say, but became increasingly concerned by the prospect of a government cover-up and powerful people ‘getting away with it’

A North Carolina man who was fatally shot early Sunday as he allegedly attempted to enter President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida was an avid supporter of the president, but was “fixated” on the Epstein files, those who knew him say.

Authorities have said that Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of Moore County, was armed with a shotgun and a gas canister when he encountered two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy just inside Mar-a-Lago’s north gate around 1:30 a.m. The president and first lady were in Washington, D.C., at the time.

The officers ordered Martin to put down the gear, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters Sunday. Martin then lowered the canister but “raised the shotgun to a shooting position.”

“At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons,” the sheriff said.

Family members reported Martin missing over the weekend and were stunned by the news, according to various media outlets.

Here’s what we know about the alleged gunman.

’Fixated’ on Epstein files

Martin was “outspoken about his Christian faith and views,” colleagues from Pine Needles Lodge … Golf Club in North Carolina told TMZ, and believed that President Trump was a “strong leader.”

He had become fixated on the latest release of millions of documents by the Department of Justice related to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and was deeply concerned by the prospect of a government cover-up and powerful people “getting away with it.”

“I don’t know if you read up on the Epstein Files, but evil is real and unmistakable,” Martin wrote in a text message to a co-worker on February 15, a copy of which was obtained by TMZ.

“The best people like you and I can do is use what little influence we have. Tell other people about what you hear about the Epstein files and what the government is doing about it. Raise awareness.”

’He wouldn’t even hurt an ant’

Those who knew Martin were shocked to learn of the attempted break-in and shooting.

“He’s a good kid,” his cousin, Braeden Fields, told the Associated Press. “I wouldn't believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing.”

“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant,” Fields added. “He doesn’t even know how to use a gun.”

Fields described Martin’s family as a group of “avid Trump supporters” and said the 21-year-old was “real quiet, never really talked about anything.”

Other sources close to Martin told TMZ he was “well-meaning but increasingly frustrated, particularly about the economy.” He often complained that young people needed more than one job to survive and had tried to start a union at his workplace to push for better wages.

Martin, who graduated in 2023 from Union Pines High School in Cameron, was listed in voting records as unaffiliated with a political party, according to documents obtained by The News … Observer.

Last year, Martin started a business making hand-drawn golf course designs.

“Fresh Sky Illustrations is an artwork company that mainly focuses on bringing to life the hopeful feeling of being on a golf course by illustrating golf course scenes and providing framed copies of handmade works in various golf course gift shops while handling personal commissions on the side,” a website for the endeavor reads.

Brandon Huneycutt, head golf professional at the Quail Ridge Golf Course in Sanford, North Carolina, told The News … Observer he briefly met Martin several years ago and allowed him to use a golf cart and see parts of the course.

“I guess he took pictures of them, and he went home and actually hand-drew the pictures,” Huneycutt said. “They’re pretty good pieces.”

A car found near Mar-a-Lago is thought to be Martin’s silver Volkswagen. Inside, police found a box that appeared to have been carrying the suspect’s shotgun.

Investigators believe Martin bought the weapon as he headed south for Florida, according to Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service.

The FBI is leading the investigation.

Threats at Trump and one other at Mar-a-Lago

Trump and his properties have faced a string of security threats since the 2024 campaign season.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was later killed, grazed the Republican with a bullet during a rally in Pennsylvania in July 2024.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, attempted to kill Trump near Mar-a-Lago later that year, pointing a rifle through a fence bordering the Trump International Golf Club, according to federal prosecutors.

Earlier this month, Routh was sentenced to life in federal prison.

Routh has filed an appeal challenging his conviction and sentence, according to court documents.