Shots Fired Near White House: Secret Service Neutralizes Gunman, Bystander Injured

A man was shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service agents after opening fire at a security checkpoint near the White House, injuring a bystander. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. (22:00 GMT) Saturday at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, northwest of the White House complex.

According to a Secret Service statement, the suspect approached the checkpoint, drew a weapon from a bag, and began firing at officers on duty. The gunman was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead there. No Secret Service personnel were injured. President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time, but the Secret Service said "no protected individuals or operations were affected." The White House was immediately placed on lockdown.

Suspect Identified

U.S. media identified the suspect as Nasire Best, 21, from the state of Maryland. Best is believed to have attempted to approach the White House multiple times over the past year. According to Reuters, he had previously violated a "stay-away order" and was identified as having mental health issues.

CNN reported that in June 2023, Best blocked a lane into the White House and was apprehended by the Secret Service. At that time, he identified himself as Jesus Christ and expressed a desire to be arrested. Best was taken to the Washington Psychiatric Institute for evaluation. In July, Best again attempted to enter the White House and was detained by Secret Service agents nearby, again being sent for psychiatric evaluation. CBS reported that Best had lived in Washington, D.C., for about 18 months.

CNN noted that social media accounts linked to Best contained a post that appeared to threaten violence against President Trump and another in which he wrote: "I am literally the son of God."

President Trump's Reaction

On Truth Social, President Trump wrote: "Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for their quick and professional action tonight on a shooter near the White House, who has a history of violence and was obsessed with the most cherished structure of our country."

Trump also referenced the assassination attempt in April and the White House ballroom project: "The shooter is dead after an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents near the White House gate. This event comes one month after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and underscores the importance of all future Presidents having the safest and most secure space ever built in Washington, D.C."

History of Assassination Attempts on Trump

On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thomas Crooks, 20, fired multiple shots from an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle from a nearby rooftop. Trump's right ear was grazed by a bullet or shrapnel. One attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed, and two others were seriously injured before Secret Service agents neutralized Crooks. The FBI said the shooter's motive remains unclear.

In September 2024, Ryan Wesley Routh concealed himself near the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, with a rifle while Trump was playing golf. A Secret Service agent spotted him and opened fire before Routh fled. He was later arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

On April 25, gunfire erupted near the security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton while Trump, journalists, cabinet officials, and guests were attending the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. Trump and other high-profile attendees were evacuated. Suspect Cole Tomas Allen was subdued and arrested by Secret Service agents, facing federal weapons charges and conspiracy to assassinate Trump.