U.S. officials revealed that a man who fired at officers near a security checkpoint close to the White House in Washington, D.C. was fatally shot by U.S. Secret Service agents. One civilian was injured, and the suspect was reported to have a severe history of mental illness.
A tense incident unfolded in downtown Washington, D.C. on Saturday evening local time. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that a suspect opened fire on officers near a security checkpoint close to the White House. Police returned fire to stop the attack, seriously wounding the suspect, who later died at the hospital.
The event took place at the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building just outside the White House fence. Witnesses reported hearing between 10 and 20 gunshots.
CBS News cited sources identifying the suspect as 21-year-old Nasir Best, a young man well known to the Secret Service due to his severe mental health issues.
Reports state that Best had been arrested in July 2025 after attempting to trespass into the White House. At that time, he was sent to a psychiatric facility and was subject to a court order barring him from approaching the area. He returned to commit this latest attack, reportedly approaching the checkpoint, drawing a firearm from his bag, and opening fire on officers around 6:00 p.m.
A statement from the Secret Service confirmed that no police or security personnel were injured during the attack. However, one pedestrian in the vicinity was struck by gunfire and taken to hospital. Official details on the victim’s condition have not been released. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the bullet came from the suspect or from return fire by officers.
At the time of the shooting, former President Donald Trump was inside the White House and had been briefed on the situation. He was unharmed and safe. However, the gunfire caused chaos among White House press corps working nearby, prompting security personnel to urgently evacuate journalists into the press briefing room for shelter.
Selina Wang, a reporter for ABC News, posted a video on the social media platform X showing the moment she had to duck for cover as intermittent gunfire rang out near the White House’s north lawn. Similarly, Emma Nicholson, associate producer for CBS News, said her team was preparing to set up cameras when they heard multiple gunshots and immediately dropped to the ground before being ushered inside by security.
This shooting near the White House occurred less than a month after a previous incident in which a gunman opened fire inside a hotel hosting a White House press dinner. That prior event led to the urgent evacuation of former President Trump and senior officials from the venue.
Local police and the Secret Service remain on lockdown around the White House area, blocking major roads to conduct a thorough investigation into motives and gather evidence. Road closures are expected to continue throughout the night.
/sourceBBC