Shooting Incident Near White House: Suspect Killed by Secret Service
Shooting Near White House Security Checkpoint
Police tape is seen as Secret Service and police block streets around the White House, on Saturday. (Photo:PTI)
Washington, May 24: A shooting incident occurred near a security checkpoint at the White House on Saturday, resulting in the death of a man who opened fire. The US Secret Service confirmed that officers responded by returning fire.
This marks the third gunfire-related incident in the vicinity of President Donald Trump within a month.
According to a statement from the Secret Service shared on social media, the suspect was located near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue shortly after 6 PM when he drew a weapon from his bag and began shooting. Officers returned fire, hitting the suspect, who later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
The individual has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, as per a law enforcement official who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.
Reports indicate that a bystander was also injured during the incident, but it remains uncertain whether the injuries were caused by the suspect's gunfire or the officers' return fire.
Court records from the District of Columbia reveal that Best had been arrested in July 2025 for attempting to breach another White House checkpoint without permission.
During that earlier incident, he allegedly ignored commands from officers, claimed to be Jesus Christ, and expressed a desire to be arrested.
The Secret Service reported that no officers were harmed during the shooting and confirmed that Trump, who was present at the White House, was not affected by the incident.
Originally, Trump had intended to spend the weekend at his golf club in New Jersey but altered his plans on Friday to remain at the White House.
FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned on social media that agency personnel were on-site and promised updates to the public as more information became available.
Visible evidence of the shooting was present on the sidewalk outside the White House, with yellow crime scene tape marking off sections of the area. Secret Service agents were observed placing numerous orange evidence markers on the ground.
Medical supplies, including purple surgical gloves and emergency kits, were also noted at the scene.
This shooting follows closely after an incident described by law enforcement as an attempted assassination of the president during the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on April 25.