Suspect killed in shootout near White House as Trump briefed on incident
Nasire Best, 21, opened fire on Secret Service agents at a checkpoint on 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue; president remains in residence as investigation continues.
A 21-year-old man was killed in an exchange of fire with US Secret Service agents on Saturday evening after opening fire on officers near the White House. The incident occurred at a checkpoint on 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, shortly before 18:00 local time. One bystander was wounded by gunfire and transported to hospital, while no Secret Service officers were injured.
The suspect has been identified by CBS News as Nasire Best. According to a source cited by the outlet, Best had a documented history of mental health problems and was previously arrested in July 2025 after attempting to access the White House. He was subsequently sent to a psychiatric facility following that incident. The Secret Service confirmed that between 10 and 20 gunshots were fired during the confrontation.
President Donald Trump was in residence at the White House at the time of the shooting. A White House official confirmed to CBS that the president has been briefed on the incident. Trump has not yet offered any public comment on the events of Saturday night. The shooting remains under active investigation, with road closures around the White House expected to remain in place overnight.
The incident has heightened scrutiny of security protocols at the presidential residence, coming just one month after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Journalists stationed on the White House lawn were ordered to take shelter in the press briefing room as shots were heard. ABC News correspondent Selina Wang described being rushed to the briefing room, while CBS News associate producer Emma Nicholson reported that a news crew ducked to the ground before being ushered inside.
The Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded rapidly to reports of gunfire. The agency confirmed that a man pulled a gun from his bag and began firing near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Secret Service police returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The BBC has contacted the Secret Service, the White House, and local police for further comment.
