A tense security incident unfolded near the White House on Saturday evening after a gunman opened fire close to a Secret Service checkpoint in Washington, D.C., triggering a rapid response from federal agents and forcing journalists and bystanders to seek cover.
According to officials, the shooting happened shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, only steps away from the White House complex. Witnesses reported hearing a long burst of gunfire before Secret Service agents secured the area and placed parts of the White House grounds under temporary lockdown.
Authorities said the suspect pulled a handgun from a bag and began firing toward officers stationed outside the security perimeter. Secret Service personnel immediately returned fire, striking the attacker during the exchange. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A bystander was also injured during the shooting and received emergency medical treatment. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the civilian was hit by the suspect’s gunfire or during the exchange with law enforcement. No Secret Service agents were injured.
President Donald Trump was reportedly inside the White House at the time of the incident, though officials stated that neither the president nor ongoing operations inside the building were affected. Security teams quickly locked down sections of the White House before reopening the area later in the evening once authorities determined there was no longer an active threat.
Several reporters who were covering events on the White House North Lawn described chaotic scenes as shots rang out. Journalists said they were ordered by Secret Service officers to immediately run into the press briefing room for safety.
Video shared online by ABC News correspondent Selina Wang appeared to capture the moment gunfire erupted nearby while she was filming a report. In the footage, multiple shots can be heard as reporters scramble for cover.
Law enforcement officials later identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best. Multiple U.S. media outlets reported that the man had previous encounters with authorities and had allegedly attempted to approach the White House in 2025. Reports also indicated he had a documented history of mental health struggles and had previously spent time in psychiatric care.
Federal investigators, including the FBI and Secret Service, launched a full investigation into the incident. Authorities are still working to determine the exact motive behind the attack and whether the suspect specifically targeted federal officers or the White House security perimeter itself.
The shooting has once again raised concerns about security threats surrounding the White House and high-profile political figures in the United States. The incident comes only weeks after another armed security scare connected to an event attended by President Trump in Washington.
In a statement shared online after the shooting, Trump praised law enforcement officers for what he described as a “swift and professional response” that prevented a potentially more dangerous situation.
Hours after the incident, police vehicles, forensic teams, and armed officers remained stationed around the White House as investigators collected evidence and examined the scene. Nearby streets were temporarily blocked off while authorities processed the area.
Officials are expected to release additional details as the investigation continues.
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