A 21-year-old man, Nasire Best, was killed in an exchange of fire with Secret Service agents near the White House on Saturday evening. This incident is a stark reminder of the security risks that exist in the vicinity of the White House. It's a reminder that even with tight security, incidents can still occur.
Nasire Best, the suspect in the shooting, had a documented history of mental health problems and was known to the Secret Service. He didn't have a clean record, and his past behavior was a cause for concern. In July 2025, he was arrested after trying to access the White House and was subsequently sent to a psychiatric facility. He didn't receive the help he needed, and it's unclear what led him to commit this act.
The shooting occurred outside the White House at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Between 10 and 20 gunshots were fired, according to the Secret Service. A bystander was also wounded in the shooting and was taken to the hospital. The Secret Service won't comment on the bystander's condition, but it's likely that they're receiving treatment.
The Secret Service said a man pulled a gun from his bag and began firing shortly before 18:00 (23:00 GMT) on Saturday. Secret Service police returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital. President Donald Trump was in residence at the White House at the time of the shooting, but he hasn't yet commented on the incident. He's likely to make a statement soon, but for now, he's staying quiet.
Some reporters at the White House were rushed into a briefing room after the shots were heard. Footage shared by ABC News correspondent Selina Wang showed her taking cover as a volley of shots could be heard across the White House's north lawn. Wang wrote on X, 'We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.' She didn't expect the shooting to happen, and it's clear that she's shaken by the experience.
The incident comes a month after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The BBC has contacted the Secret Service, the White House, and local police for comment, but they won't comment on the incident. They're still investigating, and it's unclear what they've found so far.
Key Facts
- The suspect, Nasire Best, was 21 years old and had a history of mental health problems.
- The shooting occurred outside the White House at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
- Between 10 and 20 gunshots were fired, according to the Secret Service.
- A bystander was also wounded in the shooting and was taken to the hospital.
- President Donald Trump was in residence at the White House at the time of the shooting.
The incident is a concerning reminder of the potential security threats that exist near the White House. As the investigation into the shooting continues, it's likely that more information will come to light about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and it's unclear what the Secret Service will find.
In the meantime, road closures around the White House will likely remain in place overnight. The Secret Service hasn't provided any further details on the condition of the wounded bystander, but it's likely that they're receiving treatment. The Secret Service is working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and they won't comment on the incident until they have more information.
The safety of those in and around the White House is of the utmost importance. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies will likely be working to determine the motivations behind the shooting and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. They can't let their guard down, and they must be vigilant at all times.
In a city like Washington D.C., where security is always a top priority, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the potential risks that exist. The White House, in particular, is a high-security area, and any incident that occurs there is likely to draw significant attention. It's a sensitive area, and the Secret Service must be careful.
The official investigation will conclude soon, and it's best to wait for the results before drawing any conclusions about the motivations behind the shooting. However, one thing is clear: the safety of the public and those who work in and around the White House is of the utmost importance. They can't compromise on security, and they must do everything to prevent incidents like this from occurring.
In the coming days and weeks, it's likely that more information will come to light about the shooting and the circumstances surrounding it. As the investigation continues, it's essential to remember that the safety of everyone involved is the top priority. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies won't comment on the incident until they have more information, but it's clear that they're working hard to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The incident has raised questions about the security measures in place around the White House and whether they are sufficient to prevent incidents like this from occurring. It's likely that these questions will be addressed in the coming days and weeks as the investigation continues. The Secret Service will review their procedures, and they'll make changes if necessary.
For now, the focus is on the investigation and determining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies will likely be working to piece together the events leading up to the incident and to determine the motivations behind it. They won't rush to conclusions, and they'll take their time to get to the bottom of the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, it's essential to remember that the safety of the public and those who work in and around the White House is of the utmost importance. The White House is a symbol of American democracy, and any incident that occurs there is likely to draw significant attention. It's a sensitive area, and the Secret Service must be careful.
The incident is a reminder that, even in a city like Washington D.C., where security is always a top priority, incidents can still occur. It's a stark reminder of the potential risks that exist, and the importance of being vigilant at all times. The Secret Service can't let their guard down, and they must be prepared for anything.
In the coming days and weeks, it's likely that more information will come to light about the shooting and the circumstances surrounding it. As the investigation continues, it's essential to remember that the safety of everyone involved is the top priority. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies will work hard to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and they'll do everything to prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future.
'We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,' said Selina Wang, an ABC News correspondent who was at the White House when the shooting occurred. She didn't expect the shooting to happen, and it's clear that she's shaken by the experience. She's still trying to process what happened, and it's likely that she'll have more to say about the incident in the coming days.
The incident has raised questions about the security measures in place around the White House and whether they are sufficient to prevent incidents like this from occurring. It's likely that these questions will be addressed in the coming days and weeks as the investigation continues. The Secret Service will review their procedures, and they'll make changes if necessary. They won't compromise on security, and they must do everything to prevent incidents like this from occurring.
As the investigation unfolds, it's essential to remember that the safety of the public and those who work in and around the White House is of the utmost importance. The White House is a symbol of American democracy, and any incident that occurs there is likely to draw significant attention. It's a sensitive area, and the Secret Service must be careful. They can't let their guard down, and they must be prepared for anything.
The incident is a concerning reminder of the potential security threats that exist near the White House. As the investigation into the shooting continues, it's likely that more information will come to light about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and it's unclear what the Secret Service will find. They're working hard to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and they'll do everything to prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future.
For now, the focus is on the investigation and determining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies will likely be working to piece together the events leading up to the incident and to determine the motivations behind it. They won't rush to conclusions, and they'll take their time to get to the bottom of the incident. They'll work hard to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and they'll do everything to prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future.
The shooting incident near the White House serves as a reminder of the potential security risks that exist in the vicinity of the White House. The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, has raised questions about the security measures in place around the White House and whether they are sufficient to prevent incidents like this from occurring. It's a stark reminder of the potential risks that exist, and the importance of being vigilant at all times.