In a recent security incident at Mar-A-Lago, the Florida estate of former President Donald Trump, a 49-year-old woman from Orlando was detained by authorities. Caroline Shaw, the suspect, approached the estate's south gate late Monday evening with the claim of needing to urgently communicate with Trump. During the incident, Secret Service agents discovered she was carrying a handgun in her vehicle.
Palm Beach police took Shaw into custody after she arrived in her gray Mercedes van and insisted on speaking with Trump, who was in Washington D.C. at the time. Upon a security check, agents found a handgun inside Shaw's vehicle, which she acknowledged owning. Further investigations revealed that Shaw's driver's license had been suspended since April 2023 due to unpaid traffic fines and her vehicle registration had expired in December 2021.
Shaw faced misdemeanor charges including driving with a suspended license and failure to register a vehicle. She pleaded not guilty at her first court appearance before Palm Beach County Judge Donald Hafele. Judge Hafele also issued a no-contact order, which prevents Shaw from communicating with Trump or visiting Trump-owned properties.
Palm Beach police have petitioned for a risk protection order under Florida's "red-flag law," which aims to temporarily bar individuals who may pose a threat from possessing firearms or ammunition. This recent event underscores a series of security concerns at Mar-A-Lago, as just last month, Anthony Thomas Reyes was arrested after scaling the estate's fence with an intent to marry one of Trump's granddaughters and "spread the gospel." In April, Adrienne Tajirian was caught attempting to dine with Donald Trump Jr. at the estate.
These breaches illustrate the security challenges faced by authorities due to Mar-A-Lago's status as both a private residence and a venue for high-profile events. Past incidents have included smuggling attempts of classified information, unauthorized drone activity, and infiltration by foreign nationals. The frequency of these violations raises questions about the safety of public figures amidst growing political tensions.
