Florida [US], February 23 (HBTV): A man in his early 20s was shot and killed by agents of the US Secret Service and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office after allegedly entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago early Sunday, authorities said.
According to an official statement, the incident occurred at around 1:30 am when the individual was observed near the north gate of the property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.
‘On February 22, around 1:30 a.m., a male in his early 20s was shot by US Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) following an unauthorized entry into the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago. The individual, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced deceased,’ the agency said.
Law enforcement personnel confronted the man, and shots were fired during the encounter. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released.
‘No US Secret Service or PBSO personnel were injured,’ the agency stated, adding that there were no Secret Service protectees present at the location at the time of the incident.
The shooting is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Authorities said the probe will examine the individual’s background, actions, potential motive and the use of force during the incident.
‘In accordance with agency policy, the involved Secret Service agents will be placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,’ the statement added.
(ANI)