A man was shot and killed by US Secret Service agents after opening fire near the White House on Saturday, according to an official statement from the agency, in an incident that briefly locked down one of the most heavily secured areas in Washington, DC.
The confrontation unfolded near the White House complex after the suspect reportedly approached a police checkpoint, drew a handgun from his bag, and began firing indiscriminately, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the investigation.
Officers from the United States Secret Service returned fire, striking the suspect. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died, the agency confirmed.
A bystander was also struck during the shooting. Authorities have not yet determined whether the individual was hit by the suspect’s initial gunfire or during the exchange of fire between the suspect and law enforcement.
The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, according to the same source. Officials said he had a prior encounter with law enforcement near the White House in July 2025, when he was arrested for unlawful entry after entering a restricted area at a pedestrian checkpoint, according to court records.
He was also reportedly subjected to an involuntary mental health evaluation in June 2025 after obstructing a vehicle entrance to the White House complex, the records show.
The shooting occurred near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, just outside the White House perimeter, an area that is heavily monitored by security personnel and surveillance systems.
Following the incident, reporters were swiftly moved off the White House grounds and into the building as the campus entered a temporary lockdown.
More than two hours before the shooting, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted on social media that President Donald Trump was inside the executive residence at the time. A source familiar with security operations said Trump was the only Secret Service protectee present at the White House during the incident.
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel said on X that FBI personnel were on the scene assisting the Secret Service with the investigation into the shooting.
The FBI has since joined the investigation as authorities work to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the exchange of gunfire.
The incident comes less than a month after federal agents arrested a man near a White House event hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association for allegedly attempting to breach security with firearms in an effort to target President Donald Trump.
That earlier case raised renewed concerns about security threats targeting high-profile political figures in Washington, where federal agencies maintain one of the most intensive protective security systems in the world.
Officials have not yet released further details about the suspect’s motive in Saturday’s shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Law enforcement sources said the area surrounding the White House remained under heightened security as forensic teams examined the scene and collected evidence.
The Secret Service has not indicated whether any additional security measures will be implemented following the incident, but such responses are common after armed encounters near protected federal sites.
The shooting is expected to prompt further review of perimeter security protocols around the White House, particularly in areas accessible to pedestrians near Pennsylvania Avenue.
Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements as part of the ongoing investigation into how the suspect was able to approach the checkpoint before opening fire.
As of Saturday night, officials had not confirmed whether any additional arrests were expected in connection with the incident.
The investigation remains active, with both the Secret Service and FBI continuing to coordinate efforts in Washington.
