An NBC reporter has gone viral for her muted response after a shooter opened fire just outside the White House. Julie Tsirkin, an NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent, was live on-air near the White House lawn when bullets rang out on Saturday night in Washington DC.
The journalist, 28, immediately donned a confused expression on her face as she turned toward the noise and back to the camera, asking: 'What is that?' A man then responded: 'Sounds like fireworks,' which prompted Tsirkin to take a step in the direction of the gunfire, which officials say came from a Secret Service checkpoint.
She then turned back toward the camera, dumbfounded, as she stared blankly at the man, who appeared to be her cameraman. Officials then started screaming: 'Out! Out!' as the reporter immediately darted with others to the press briefing room.
The gunman, Nasire Best, 21, was fatally shot by Secret Service agents after exchanging fire with them while the White House was put on lockdown. President Donald Trump was inside the building, but unharmed.
Compared to other reporters, most of whom ran for their lives, Tsirkin's reaction has left many criticizing her lack of urgency. 'Ridiculous...I'd have been running for cover,' an X user said. 'That woman - Tsirkin has the survival instinct of a goldfish!,' wrote another. Someone else chimed in: 'Zero situational awareness.' Another user said her reaction resembled that of a character in a horror film.
While some people were left troubled by her reaction, others embraced the moment, with Tsirkin going viral online in a series of memes. The reporter even poked fun at the attention she's gotten since the clip hit the internet. 'I'm glad I could take one for the team with @nbcsnl on summer break,' Tsirkin said, referring to the late-night sketch comedy show that just wrapped up its 51st season on May 16.
She smiled next to an enlarged image of her wearing a Trojan-inspired hat, adding: 'Thanks for the memes, internet! Hope you'll stick around for the reporting.'
An adult male bystander, who has not been named, was struck by a bullet during the shooting and taken to a nearby hospital for medical care. He underwent surgery and is in stable condition as of Sunday afternoon, the Secret Service and Metropolitan Police said. Police continue to investigate exactly who shot the bystander.
When gunfire first rang out, reporters at the White House said they heard about 20 to 30 gunshots. ABC White House Correspondent Selena Wang appeared startled as gunshots rang out while she was recording a report on her phone. She immediately ducked down before running toward the White House briefing room, per officials' orders.
Best approached a Secret Service post and opened fire with a revolver he drew from a bag and pointed in the direction of an agent booth. Secret Service Uniformed Division officers quickly returned fire, killing Best. Best, who was known to the protection agency and had a documented history of mental health conditions, had been living in Washington, DC, for around 18 months, a source told CBS News.
The president was inside at the time as he was working on an Iran peace deal with Middle Eastern leaders inside the Oval Office. Trump aides Steven Cheung, Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and others were all present with the president when the shooting occurred. In the hours after the shooting, it was revealed that the suspect believed he was Jesus, officials said.
After the chaos, Trump took to Truth Social, stating that Best 'had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure.' The president, who appeared to be talking about the White House, added: 'Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure. The gunman is dead after an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service Agents near the White House gates.'
'This event is one month removed from the White House Correspondent’ [sic] Dinner shooting, and goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, DC. The National Security of our Country demands it!'
