A person who approached a security checkpoint near the White House and began shooting at officers has passed away, as confirmed by federal authorities. The U.S. Secret Service reported that the individual approached the checkpoint around 6 p.m. ET, took out a weapon from their bag, and started firing at the stationed officers. In response, the officers fired back, hitting the suspect, who was then taken to a nearby hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries.
During the incident, a bystander was also hit, but it remains unclear whether the individual was struck by the suspect’s initial shots or the subsequent fire from the officers. Fortunately, none of the Secret Service officers were harmed, and President Donald Trump, who was present at the White House during the event, was unharmed.
President Trump expressed gratitude on social media to the Secret Service and law enforcement for their prompt and proficient response in dealing with the gunman near the White House. He mentioned that the assailant had a history of violence and a potential fixation on the country’s most revered structure, leading to a fatal confrontation with Secret Service agents.
The suspect has been identified as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old resident of Dundalk, Md., according to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Records from the District of Columbia court revealed that Best had a previous encounter in July 2025 when he tried to access a different White House checkpoint without authorization, claimed to be Jesus Christ, and expressed a desire to be arrested.
Journalists present at the scene recounted hearing gunshots and were instructed to take shelter inside the press briefing room by Secret Service officers. A video shared by ABC News correspondent Selina Wang captured the tense moment when she heard numerous gunshots and sought cover. The video, showcasing the chaos and fear during the incident, quickly gained traction on social media.
This shooting incident occurred nearly a month after what authorities described as an assassination attempt on the president during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. President Trump emphasized the importance of presidential security in the wake of such events, linking it to the need for enhanced security measures at the White House. The incident was reminiscent of a recent shooting near the Washington Monument, where a suspect fired at officers, resulting in the injury of a teenage bystander.