News

The distraction distracted nobody – Gunman shot dead by Secret Service at Mar-a-Lago, was “obsessed with Epstein files”

February 24, 2026

116

Austin Tucker Martin, 21, snuck onto the Mar-a-Lago property while armed with a shotgun and gas can on Sunday. Facebook/Melissa Martin

The armed madman who was shot and killed by the Secret Service after he snuck onto President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate Sunday was reportedly obsessed with the Jeffrey Epstein files — and implored others to “raise awareness” just days before the deadly encounter.

Austin Tucker Martin, 21, was gunned down by local Florida police and members of the Secret Service after he brandished his shotgun in a “shooting position” on Trump’s property, authorities said.

He was reported missing by his family after he vanished Saturday. His mother, Melissa Martin, made a missing person poster for him, describing the silver Volkswagen he was likely driving.

Bizarre text messages Martin swapped with a co-worker on Feb. 15, just one week before he apparently embarked on a one-way trip to Florida, were obtained by TMZ.

Martin, seemingly unprompted, shared his thoughts on the Epstein files with his co-worker.

“I don’t know if you read up on the Epstein Files, but evil is real and unmistakable,” he wrote.

“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 added.

His co-worker never replied to the text. On Sunday morning, before Tucker’s death was announced, the co-worker texted, “Hey! Where are you?”

The messages were sent in a secure “RCS chat” with the co-worker. Tucker worked at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in North Carolina, just 15 miles from his hometown of Cameron, where he still lived with his parents, sources told the outlet.

Other colleagues told the outlet that Martin was deeply disturbed by what he believed was a concerted government campaign to cover up the Epstein files so elites could continue “getting away with it.”

They also said he voiced frustrations about the economy and how difficult it is for young people to afford to live on their own. He went so far as to try to organize a union at the country club for higher wages, but no one supported the move, the outlet reported.

Sources also noted that Martin was a vocal supporter of Trump, TMZ reported.

Martin’s cousin, 19-year-old Braeden Fields, told the Associated Press that a majority of his family backed Trump.

He said any apparent act of violence from his “quiet” cousin was extremely out of character.

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

Authorities haven’t revealed a motive for the potential thwarted attack. Trump and first lady Melania Trump were at the White House at the time.

An investigation is ongoing. Authorities have urged nearby residents in South Florida to check their security cameras for any footage that may show Martin.