Members of the national guard stood on the street near the White House after a shooting incident nearby on Saturday. The gunman who opened fire outside the White House before being shot by federal agents was already known to the US Secret Service, according to court records.
Incident Overview
The suspect, identified in US media reports as Nasire Best, 21, was taken to a nearby hospital after the exchange of fire and later pronounced dead. The White House was briefly locked down shortly after 6pm on Saturday when the suspect approached a checkpoint at a gate near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, pulled a pistol from a bag, and fired. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect. A bystander was also struck in the exchange, though it remains unclear whether the bystander was hit by the suspect or by officers' shots. No agents were injured.
Prior Interactions with Secret Service
Best was known to the Secret Service for having attempted to gain access to the White House complex on multiple occasions last summer. According to an affidavit filed in DC Superior Court in 2025, he was involuntarily committed on 26 June 2025 for obstructing vehicle entry to part of the complex. On 10 July 2025, he was arrested for unlawful entry after ignoring warning signs and walking into a restricted area outside the White House. During that incident, Best claimed to be Jesus and stated that he wanted to get arrested. A judge issued a stay-away order, barring him from the White House area. The New York Post reported that a bench warrant was later issued after Best failed to attend a subsequent hearing.
Reactions
Donald Trump, who was inside the White House at the time of the shooting, described the gunman as having a violent history and a possible obsession with the White House. He praised the swift and professional action of law enforcement officials on social media. The Washington Post reported that an unnamed law enforcement official described Best as an emotionally disturbed person known to law enforcement. The FBI is assisting the Secret Service and local police in the investigation.
Context and Implications
The incident occurred a month after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at a Washington hotel. Trump remarked that it underscores the importance of building the most safe and secure space ever constructed in Washington, DC, an apparent reference to his contentious ballroom plans. The shooting highlights ongoing security concerns around the White House and the challenges of protecting high-profile sites.
