A person who opened fire at White House security officers near a checkpoint has passed away, as confirmed by federal officials. According to the U.S. Secret Service, the individual approached the checkpoint around 6 p.m. ET, pulled out a weapon from a bag, and started shooting at the officers on duty. In response, the officers fired back, hitting the suspect who was then taken to a nearby hospital and later succumbed to injuries.
During the incident, a bystander was also injured, but it remains unclear whether they were hit by the initial shots from the suspect or the subsequent shots fired by the officers. Fortunately, none of the Secret Service officers were harmed, and President Donald Trump, who was present at the White House at the time, was not affected.
President Trump expressed gratitude on social media towards the Secret Service and law enforcement for their quick and professional response to the gunman near the White House. He noted that the suspect had a history of violence and a possible fixation on the White House. The exchange of gunfire between the suspect and Secret Service agents led to the suspect’s demise near the White House gates.
The suspect was identified as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old from Dundalk, Md., by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Court records from the District of Columbia revealed that Best had been arrested in July 2025 for attempting to enter a different White House checkpoint without permission, claiming to be Jesus Christ, and expressing a desire to be arrested.
Journalists present at the scene reported hearing gunshots and were instructed to seek shelter in the press briefing room by Secret Service officers. ABC News correspondent Selina Wang shared a video capturing the moment the shots were fired, with the footage going viral on social media.
This incident follows a recent shooting near the Washington Monument involving Secret Service officers and a suspect, Michael Marx of Midland, Texas, who was charged after firing at officers, resulting in the injury of a teenage bystander. President Trump linked these events to broader concerns about presidential security, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures for future Presidents in Washington, D.C.
