The 21-year-old gunman shot and killed after breaching President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate had been fixated on the Epstein files in the days leading up to the deadly encounter, according to a report.
Austin Tucker Martin was gunned down Sunday by local Florida police and members of the Secret Service after authorities said he brandished a shotgun in a “shooting position” on the Palm Beach property. Investigators say Martin had sneaked onto the estate armed with both a shotgun and a gas can.
Just one day earlier, Martin had been reported missing by his family after vanishing Saturday. His mother, Melissa Martin, created a missing person poster describing the silver Volkswagen he was believed to be driving.
Austin Tucker Martin. Credit: Facebook/Melissa Martin
Text messages reveal fixation on Epstein files
Bizarre text messages Martin exchanged with a coworker on Feb. 15, one week before the shooting, were obtained by TMZ.
In the messages, Martin appeared to bring up the Epstein files without prompting.
“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.
The coworker did not respond at the time. On Sunday morning, before news of Martin’s death broke, the coworker followed up with a message that read, “Hey! Where are you?”
The texts were sent through a secure RCS chat. Martin worked at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in North Carolina, located about 15 miles from his hometown of Cameron, where he lived with his parents, sources told the outlet.
Austin Tucker Martin. Credit: Facebook/Debi Dennis Messer
Coworkers describe concerns and frustrations
Other colleagues told TMZ that Martin was deeply disturbed by what he believed was a coordinated government effort to cover up the Epstein files so elites could continue “getting away with it.”
They also said he frequently expressed frustration about the economy and the difficulty young people face when trying to afford living on their own. According to the outlet, Martin even attempted to organize a union at the country club in pursuit of higher wages, but the effort failed to gain support.
Sources further noted that Martin was a vocal supporter of President Trump.
Martin’s cousin, 19-year-old Braeden Fields, told The Associated Press that most of their family backed Trump. Fields described his cousin as “quiet” and said any apparent act of violence would have been completely out of character.
“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun,” Fields said.
Investigation remains ongoing
Authorities have not announced a motive for the attempted attack. At the time of the incident, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House.
Investigators released a photo of the shotgun Martin was allegedly carrying and have urged residents in South Florida to review their security camera footage for any images that may show him.
The investigation is ongoing.