A 21-year-old man, identified as Nasire Best from Maryland, was shot dead by Secret Service officers after he opened fire at a White House security checkpoint on Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. when Best approached the checkpoint, pulled a revolver from his bag, and began shooting at posted officers. Officers returned fire, striking Best, who later died at a local hospital. A bystander was also shot during the incident, but it remains unclear whether the bullet came from the gunman or the officers.
Trump Responds to Attack
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the shooting but was not directly affected. He later took to Truth Social to thank law enforcement and the Secret Service for their swift and professional action. Trump also claimed that the gunman had a violent history and a possible obsession with the White House.
Suspect's Troubled Past
According to sources cited by the New York Post, Best was known to the Secret Service for loitering around official checkpoints and entry points. He had been living in Washington D.C. for 18 months, per CBS. CNN reports that Best was arrested in June 2025 for holding up traffic near the White House and was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital. He was detained again on July 10 for unlawful entry after walking through an exit turnstile at a restricted White House pedestrian control post. During that arrest, Best made bizarre statements, claiming he was Jesus Christ and that he wanted to get arrested. A court record noted his claim of being the son of God.
Witness Accounts
Journalists at the White House reported hearing a series of gunshots and were instructed to seek shelter in the press briefing room. ABC News senior White House correspondent Selina Wang shared dramatic video on X, capturing the moment she heard what sounded like dozens of gunshots and ducked for cover. The White House was placed on lockdown for approximately one hour following the shooting.
The shooting scene is near where a gunman attacked two members of the West Virginia National Guard last November, resulting in the death of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critical injuries to Andrew Wolfe. Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged in that incident.
