Nasire Best Killed After Opening Fire Near White House

Nasire Best, a 21-year-old Maryland man with known mental health concerns and prior run-ins with the Secret Service, was fatally shot by officers after opening fire at a checkpoint near the White House on Saturday evening. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. ET at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, approximately 300 meters northwest of the main White House building.

Best had previously attempted unauthorized entry into the White House in July 2025 and was arrested after claiming to be Jesus Christ, according to multiple sources. During Saturday's incident, Best removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at officers posted at the checkpoint. Secret Service officers returned fire, striking him. He was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.

A bystander was also struck during the shooting but it remains unclear whether they were hit by the suspect's initial gunfire or subsequent shots fired by officers. According to CBS News, the injured civilian is in serious condition and no Secret Service officers were hurt. Journalists working near the White House reported hearing a series of gunshots and were instructed to seek shelter inside the press briefing room.

President Donald Trump was present in the White House at the time but remained unharmed. In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump wrote: '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.' Crime scene tape has been laid across the pavement where the gunfire occurred, and officers have placed dozens of orange evidence markers on the ground.

Medical materials, including what appears to be purple surgical gloves and kits typically used by emergency medical personnel, were also seen at the scene. According to NBC News, between 20 and 30 gunshots were heard during the incident. The Metropolitan Police Department cautioned people to avoid the area, which is near where a previous shooting occurred last November.

An ABC News White House correspondent dove for cover Saturday evening on the White House North Lawn after a gunman opened fire at a Secret Service checkpoint while President Donald Trump was inside the White House working on Iran peace talks. A video posted on X by ABC News correspondent Selina Wang shows her ducking for cover, as an off-camera voice warned the crew as gunfire broke out. The video has now gone viral and accumulated more than 10.5 million views.

Court documents show that during a June 2025 incident with the Secret Service, Best told agents he wanted to be arrested. Despite having a mental evaluation, a month later in July, he again tried to access the White House. Best was arrested by Secret Service agents after that second incident and charged with unlawfully entering federally controlled property.