Authorities identified the man accused of opening fire near the White House on Saturday evening as 21-year-old Nasire Best of Maryland. According to the United States Secret Service, the incident unfolded around 6 p.m. near a security checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. Officials said Best allegedly removed a handgun from a bag and began firing toward officers guarding the area near the White House complex.
A senior administration official familiar with the investigation said the suspect reportedly fired approximately three shots in the direction of the executive mansion before Secret Service agents responded with gunfire, fatally shooting him at the scene. Officials emphasized that the suspect never breached the outer security perimeter protecting the White House grounds.
The shooting immediately triggered a lockdown of the White House complex as law enforcement agencies rushed to secure the area. Witnesses described a chaotic scene near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, with some reporting they heard as many as 30 gunshots during the exchange between the suspect and Secret Service personnel. Video footage later circulated online showing the tense moments surrounding the confrontation.
Authorities confirmed that an adult bystander was struck by gunfire during the incident, although officials did not immediately release information regarding the individual’s condition. One Secret Service officer was also transported to a hospital as a precaution, though all personnel involved were ultimately reported safe.
According to reports cited by Fox News, Best allegedly had prior interactions with the Secret Service and a documented history of mental health issues. Officials said he had previously been detained on June 26, 2025, after allegedly approaching agents and making threats. He was reportedly detained again on July 10, 2025, after entering a restricted area near federal property.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., responded to assist the Secret Service in securing the scene and launching an investigation. During the incident, Secret Service agents reportedly ordered reporters to “get down” before members of the press corps were escorted into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room for safety.
President Donald Trump later praised the rapid response of law enforcement in a Truth Social post, calling the actions “swift and professional.” He also argued that the incident demonstrated the need for even stronger security measures around the White House. Officials confirmed Trump remained inside the White House during the shooting and was not harmed.
