Deadly Encounter
A 21-year-old man, identified as Nasire Best of Dundalk, Maryland, was killed after opening fire near a White House security checkpoint Saturday evening. Secret Service agents returned fire, striking Best, who later died at a hospital. A bystander was also wounded during the exchange near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Suspect's History
Best was known to both police and the Secret Service, and had a history of mental health concerns, according to law enforcement officials. Documents show Best previously blocked a White House entry lane in June 2025, claiming he was Jesus Christ and wanted to be arrested. He was charged with unlawfully entering a federally controlled property and ordered to stay away from the White House. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest in August 2025 after he failed to appear for a hearing. The warrant, however, was only valid within the District of Columbia.
Shooting Details
Just after 6 p.m. EDT, Best "pulled a weapon from his bag" and began firing at a Secret Service checkpoint. Multiple uniformed division officers returned fire, killing the gunman. TV correspondents near the White House reported hearing multiple shots around 6:15 p.m. ET. ABC News senior White House correspondent Selina Wang shared video of what "sounded like dozens of gunshots" as she ducked for cover.
Bystander Injured
A male bystander was struck during the gunfire, but it remains unclear whether the shots came from Best or the Secret Service. The bystander underwent surgery Saturday night and is in stable condition. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating to determine who shot the bystander and how many bullets were fired.
Investigation Underway
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the agency is on the scene and will provide updates as available. The Metropolitan Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau Force Investigation Team will handle the officer-involved-shooting inquiry. The U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. will review the facts and evidence in the case.
Trump's Reaction
President Donald Trump was inside the White House during the shooting and was not harmed. He posted on Truth Social that the shooting was another sign the White House needed a “safe and secure space.” Trump had been scheduled to spend the weekend at his New Jersey golf club but changed his plans on Friday to stay at the White House.
Political Context
Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington, said the shooting is a pattern of violence directed at the President and at members of the press. Representative Gabe Evans, a Republican from Colorado, condemned political violence and acts of extremism. Representative Shri Thanedar, a Democrat from Michigan, stated that political violence is unacceptable.
Increased Security Concerns
The shooting is the latest act of political violence carried out in President Trump’s orbit. It follows an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April and another near the Washington Monument earlier in May. In the wake of the shooting, yellow crime scene tape snaked across the pavement outside the White House complex, and Secret Service officers placed dozens of orange evidence markers on the ground.
For example, law enforcement sources reported that Best was sent for a mental evaluation after his June 2025 incident, indicating concerns about his mental health.