A 21-year-old man died after shooting at U.S. Secret Service agents near the White House on Saturday evening (23). Nasire Best, from Maryland, pulled a revolver from a bag and fired at a security checkpoint at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue around 6:00 PM local time. Agents returned fire and fatally wounded him. A civilian bystander was also shot during the exchange of gunfire. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"The perpetrator, 21-year-old Nasire Best from an unspecified D.C.-area town in Maryland, was taken to George Washington University Hospital following the shooting. He died shortly after being admitted."
"The gunman in Saturday's shooting near the White House pulled out a revolver and fired off several shots in the direction of a U.S. Secret Service booth before Secret Service Uniformed Division officers quickly returned fire"
President Donald Trump was at the White House during the incident but was not affected, according to a Secret Service spokesperson. Between 15 to 30 shots were heard during the confrontation, which mobilized a strong security operation in the area. No Secret Service agents were injured. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"President Trump was at the White House during the incident, 'but was not impacted,' the Secret Service spokesperson said."
"Somewhere between approximately 15 to 30 gunshots were fired, law enforcement sources told CBS News."
Best had a history of mental health issues and previous encounters with law enforcement. In July 2025, he had been arrested near the White House after attempting to gain entry and was sent to a psychiatric ward, with a stay-away order issued against him. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Reuters reported that a law enforcement official said the perpetrator had been identified as an emotionally disturbed person, adding that a "stay-away order" had been issued to him previously."
Journalists working on the White House North Lawn were instructed to run to the press briefing room after hearing the gunshots. The security lockdown was lifted at 7:00 PM local time. The episode comes one month after another shooting during a White House Correspondents' Association dinner, when 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen opened fire near the event. ◦
Press quotes (2)
"O lockdown na Casa Branca foi suspenso às 19h no horário local."
"O episódio ocorre apenas um mês depois de um atirador abrir fogo durante o jantar da Associação de Correspondentes da Casa Branca."
The shooting occurred around 6:00 PM local time (11:00 PM GMT) at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
The suspect was identified as Nasire Best, 21, from Maryland
Conflicting versions (1)
Exact number of shots heard during the incident
-
What is the health status of the civilian wounded during the shooting?
Why it's still unknown: Authorities confirmed a bystander was struck but have not released information about their health status or identity.
-
What were Nasire Best's specific motivations for the attack?
Why it's still unknown: While identified as an emotionally disturbed person, authorities have not revealed specific motivations or whether there was any premeditated plan.
-
Was the civilian hit by the suspect's gunfire or during agents' response?
Why it's still unknown: The Secret Service confirmed it's unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect's initial shots or during the exchange of gunfire with agents.