The Secret Service said officers fatally shot an armed man who opened fire at a White House checkpoint Saturday evening.
A bystander was also hit by gunfire during the incident, though the Secret Service said it was not immediately clear how the person was struck.
Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best of Dundalk, Maryland.
According to the Secret Service, Best approached the checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW around 6 p.m., pulled a weapon from a bag and started firing at officers stationed there.
“Secret Service police officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
Addressing the bystander who was hit, the Secret Service said, “It remains unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect’s initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire.”
Officials did not immediately release any information about the bystander’s condition.
No Secret Service personnel were injured in the shooting, which remains under investigation.
President Donald Trump praised law enforcement for their response, writing on social media, “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.”
Trump added, “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’s 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, D.C. The National Security of our Country demands it!”
Secret Service Director Sean Curran also praised the officers in a post on X.
“Our officers continue to operate heroically in a heightened political threat environment,” he wrote. “We are grateful no officers were injured and appreciate the strong support from our federal and local partners.”
Curran added that the agency is hopeful the wounded bystander will make a full recovery.
What we know about the alleged suspect
Multiple officials told ABC News that Nasire Best, the 21-year-old shooting suspect, was already known to the Secret Service.
Court records show a stay-away order barring Best from the White House was issued on July 11, 2025. According to court documents, he was arrested the day before the shooting after allegedly trying to enter the White House and get past a security checkpoint. Officers said he claimed to be “Jesus Christ” and allegedly told them he wanted to be arrested.
In a separate incident on June 26, Best was involuntarily committed, according to the same court records.
Reporters told to run for cover
At the time of the shooting, Trump was in the Oval Office working with aides Steven Cheung, Natalie Harp, Margo Martin and others, according to a White House Official.
ABC News’ Selina Wang was filming content for social media outside the White House when the apparent gunshots rang out. She and members of her crew quickly took cover.
Kash Patel said in a post on X that the FBI was at the scene and assisting the Secret Service.
“We will update the public as we’re able,” Patel said.
When the gunshots sounded, reporters were told to sprint into the White House Press Briefing Room.
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