"Approximately 20 to 30 shots were fired" — Secret Service and D.C. police respond to an active shooter at the White House complex.

Man Opens Fire at White House Checkpoint, Shot by Secret Service

Washington, D.C. — On Saturday evening at approximately 6 p.m. EDT, a man approached a White House security checkpoint located near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, drew a pistol, and began firing.

Secret Service officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who later died at a hospital. A bystander was also shot during the incident; it is not known whether the bystander was struck by the suspect's initial gunfire or by the officers' return fire. No Secret Service personnel were injured. President Donald Trump was at the White House at the time and was not impacted.

"The suspect approached the checkpoint, removed a weapon from a bag, and began firing." — U.S. Secret Service statement

Identification of Suspect

The suspect has been identified by law enforcement as 21-year-old Nasire Best.

According to District of Columbia court records, Best was arrested in July 2025 for attempting to enter a different White House checkpoint without authorization and ignoring officers' commands. During that incident, he claimed he was Jesus Christ and stated he wanted to be arrested.

A pretrial stay-away order was issued, and a bench warrant was issued in August after noncompliance.

Scene Description and Response

Journalists at the White House reported hearing gunshots and were directed to shelter in the press briefing room. Reporting from the scene indicated that approximately 20 to 30 shots were fired.

The White House was placed under lockdown, which was later lifted. Crime scene tape and evidence markers were placed on the sidewalk near the White House complex. The Metropolitan Police Department advised the public to avoid the area.

Official Statements

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed the sequence of events. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the FBI is supporting the Secret Service in the response and said updates would be provided.

Context of Recent Incidents

This incident follows several other shootings in the vicinity of the White House and President Trump in recent weeks and months:

• April 25, 2025: An attempted assassination of the president occurred at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Cole Tomas Allen has pleaded not guilty to attempted assassination.
• May 4, 2025: A suspect fired at officers near the Washington Monument. That suspect, Michael Marx, was charged, and a teenage bystander was wounded.
• May 17, 2025 (approximately three weeks prior): A man reportedly brandishing a gun fired at a Secret Service officer near Vice President JD Vance's motorcade route. A civilian witness was wounded in that exchange, and officers shot the suspect.
• November 2024: A shooting near the same area resulted in the death of U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critical injury of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged in that incident.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.