Gunman Killed After Opening Fire Near White House Checkpoint
A 21-year-old man was fatally shot by Secret Service officers after opening fire near a White House security checkpoint; a bystander was also injured.
On Saturday evening, a 21-year-old man opened fire near a White House security checkpoint and was subsequently shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service officers. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The suspect, identified as Nasire Best from Dundalk, Maryland, approached the checkpoint, retrieved a firearm from his bag, and began shooting at officers. Secret Service personnel returned fire, striking Best, who was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
A bystander was also injured during the exchange of gunfire and remains in serious but stable condition. It is unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect's gunfire or by shots fired by law enforcement. No Secret Service officers were injured in the incident.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time and was unharmed. In a statement on social media, he praised the "swift and professional action" of law enforcement officials.
Court records reveal that Best had prior encounters with the Secret Service. In July 2025, he was arrested for unlawful entry after attempting to access restricted areas of the White House complex, claiming to be Jesus Christ and stating that he wanted to get arrested. Following this incident, a judge issued a stay-away order barring him from the White House area.
The FBI is assisting the Secret Service and local police in the ongoing investigation. This incident marks the third occurrence of gunfire near President Trump in the past month.