21-Year-Old Fatally Shot by Secret Service After Opening Fire Near White House

A 21-year-old man identified as Nasire Best was fatally shot by Secret Service Uniformed Division officers after opening fire near a White House security checkpoint Saturday.

According to reports cited by The New York Post, Best had a history of mental health issues.

"FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds - we will update the public as we’re able," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X at the time.

According to a statement shared by the U.S. Secret Service, the incident unfolded shortly after 6 p.m. when the suspect near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue pulled a gun from his bag and began firing.

In response, Secret Service Police opened fire, hitting the suspect and fatally wounding him. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No officers were injured, However, a bystander was struck by gunfire.

Furthermore, the officials confirmed that at the time of the shooting, U.S. President Donald Trump was present in the White House; however, "no protectees or operations were impacted," they added.

Following the incident, the POTUS took to Truth Social to express gratitude to the Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the "swift and professional action."

"Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure," the President wrote on Sunday.

He continued:

"The gunman is dead after an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service Agents near the White House gates. This event is one month removed from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, and goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C. The National Security of our Country demands it!"

House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced similar sentiments and expressed gratefulness for "our brave Secret Service agents who took quick, decisive action to protect President Trump."

"Our prayers are with the victims of tonight’s senseless shooting for a speedy recovery. Our law enforcement officers run into harm’s way each day to keep us safe and they deserve our unwavering support," Johnson added on X.

Meanwhile, Rep. Betty Column condemned the "sudden rise in political violence," slamming it as "unacceptable."

"I’m grateful for the swift response by Secret Service to the shooting that took place near the White House this evening," she wrote, adding, "We must unite behind a common belief that our differences should be resolved at the ballot box."

This was not the Secret Service's first interaction with Best. According to court affidavits cited by CNN, Best was "known to the Secret Service" for "walking around the White House complex inquiring how to gain access at various entry points." He even violated a court order that required him to stay away from the White House.

On June 26, 2025, he was involuntarily committed for "obstructing vehicle entry" to a White House complex.

He was also arrested on July 10 for unlawful entry, after which he told an officer he was Jesus and "that he wanted to get arrested."