Mar-A-Lago Armed Gunman
Fixated On Epstein Information Week Earlier than Taking pictures
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The armed man shot and killed by Secret Service brokers outdoors President Donald Trump‘s Mar-a-Lago property Sunday had grown more and more obsessive about the Epstein recordsdata and was additionally a vocal supporter of Trump … TMZ has discovered.
Austin Tucker Martin despatched a textual content message, obtained by TMZ, to a co-worker on February 15, 2026, that learn, “I do not know when you learn up on the Epstein Information, however evil is actual and unmistakable.” He continued, “The most effective individuals such as you and I can do is use what little affect we now have. Inform different individuals about what you hear in regards to the Epstein recordsdata and what the federal government is doing about it. Increase consciousness.”
Sources who labored with Austin at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Membership in North Carolina inform TMZ … he turned fixated on Epstein following the newest launch of data tied to the recordsdata. Co-workers inform us he was deeply disturbed by what he believed was a authorities cover-up and infrequently talked about highly effective individuals “getting away with it.”
On the similar time, Austin was outspoken about his Christian religion and political beliefs. We’re informed he repeatedly expressed assist for Trump, telling colleagues as lately as late final yr he believed Trump was a robust chief.
Folks near Martin describe him as well-meaning however more and more annoyed, significantly in regards to the financial system. We’re informed he usually complained that younger individuals want two jobs or roommates to afford transferring out. Our sources say he nonetheless lived along with his mother and father.
Austin additionally tried to start out a union at work to push for greater wages, however nobody signed on. Outdoors of his job, he was a sketch artist trying to promote drawings of native surroundings and folks round city.
As we reported … he was shot and killed after breaching the safe perimeter at Mar-a-Lago early Sunday. In response to officers, he was noticed close to the north gate carrying a shotgun and a gas can. The investigation stays ongoing.