A gunman who opened fire near a security checkpoint steps from the White House was shot and killed by agents Saturday evening, while a bystander suffered critical injuries in the exchange, officials said.
The U.S. Secret Service said the suspect approached the area near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. and pulled a weapon from a bag before firing. Agents returned fire and struck the individual, who was taken to a hospital and later died.
A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation, identified the suspect as 21 year old Nasire Best. Authorities are examining his background, which includes a prior arrest tied to an attempt to breach a White House checkpoint in 2025.
The incident left at least one bystander critically wounded. Investigators have not determined whether the person was struck by the suspect’s gunfire or rounds fired by responding officers.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time and was not harmed, officials said.
Journalists working within the White House complex described hearing a rapid burst of gunfire and were quickly directed to shelter inside the press briefing room as agents secured the grounds.
ABC News senior correspondent Selina Wang shared video on social media capturing the moment shots rang out, prompting her to take cover mid broadcast. The footage quickly spread online, drawing widespread attention to the unfolding situation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed its personnel responded to assist in the investigation, with Director Kash Patel stating that updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
Physical evidence marked the scene late Saturday, including dozens of markers placed along a sidewalk near the White House perimeter, along with medical equipment used in the emergency response.
The Metropolitan Police Department urged the public to avoid the area while federal agents processed the scene.
The shooting marks the third instance of gunfire near the president in recent weeks. Authorities had already responded to a separate incident during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April, where a suspect allegedly attempted to attack the president at a Washington hotel.
Another confrontation earlier in May near the Washington Monument also resulted in a suspect being shot by agents after gunfire was directed at officers, leaving a teenage bystander injured.
The latest violence occurred within walking distance of a deadly ambush last year involving members of the West Virginia National Guard, underscoring ongoing security concerns in the nation’s capital.
Saturday’s shooting underscores a troubling escalation in security threats around one of the most heavily protected locations in the United States. While the Secret Service maintains layered defenses designed to neutralize threats quickly, the frequency of recent incidents suggests increasing strain on the system.
The suspect’s prior contact with law enforcement, including a stay away order linked to earlier behavior near the White House, raises questions about how individuals flagged as potential risks are monitored and managed. Experts often point to gaps between legal restrictions and real time enforcement, particularly in high traffic public areas surrounding federal buildings.
The presence of a bystander critically injured in the exchange also highlights the inherent risk to civilians when violence erupts in densely populated zones. Even rapid and trained responses can carry unintended consequences in such environments.
From a policy standpoint, the incident is likely to intensify debate over perimeter security, mental health intervention, and intelligence sharing among federal and local agencies. It also places renewed focus on how repeated threats near the president could influence operational decisions, including public access and event planning.
As investigators continue to piece together the suspect’s motives and actions, the event serves as a stark reminder that even the most fortified locations remain vulnerable to sudden and unpredictable acts of violence.
