BREAKING UPDATE: 21-year-old Austin Martin who was shot, killed during ‘unauthorized entry’ to Mar-a-Lago was obsessed with Epstein files

21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from Cameron, North Carolina, the gunman who tried to break into Mar-a-Lago with a firearm, was obsessed with the Epstein filed, TMZ notes. Martin's family had reported him missing on Saturday and he was killed during an "unauthorized entry" to President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago via the north gate in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Martin had sent a text message to a co-worker on February 15 discussing the files. That message, obtained by TMZ, read "I don't know if you read up on the Epstein Files, but evil is real and unmistakable." 

"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 went on.

Martin worked at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in North Carolina as well as another job and lived with his parents. He was also a sketch artist. It was after the latest traunch of documents were released by the DOJ that he shared his belief that a government cover-up was underway and that people were "getting away with it."

TMZ further reports that "Austin was outspoken about his Christian faith and political views. We're told he regularly expressed support for Trump, telling colleagues as recently as late last year he believed Trump was a strong leader."

Martin was shot and killed by law enforcement on Sunday morning after trying to enter President Donald Trump's resort with a shotgun and a gas can at 1:30 am via the north gate. He was shot after failing to drop the gun when he entered the inner perimeter of the property. A box for the firearm was found in his vehicle after the shooting, according to Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

"In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department."

Both President Trump and First Lady Melania were at the White House and were not present at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the incident.

The Secret Service released a statement on the matter, saying "On February 22, around 1:30 a.m., a male in his early 20s was shot by U.S.

"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 individual was observed by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.

"U.S. Secret Service agents and a PBSO deputy confronted the individual and shots were fired by law enforcement during the encounter. No U.S. Secret Service or PBSO personnel were injured. There were no Secret Service protectees present at the location at the time of the incident.

"The incident, including the individual's background, actions, potential motive, and the use of force, is under investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. In accordance with agency policy, the involved Secret Service agents will be placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation."