A gunman was shot and killed by the U.S. Secret Service after allegedly opening fire near a White House security checkpoint in Washington, D.C., officials said.
The suspect was identified as Nasire Best, 21, of Maryland, according to multiple sources cited in the report.
The incident happened around 6 p.m. near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Authorities said Best approached a Secret Service checkpoint, removed a weapon from his bag and began firing toward officers.
A senior administration official said the suspect fired about three shots before Secret Service agents returned fire and took him down.
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The White House was placed on lockdown after the shooting, though the lockdown was later lifted. Officials said the suspect never entered the general perimeter of the White House grounds.
An adult bystander was reportedly shot during the exchange. Their condition was not immediately known.
One uniformed Secret Service agent was taken to a hospital as a precaution, but all Secret Service personnel were reported safe.
Officials said Best had previous encounters with the Secret Service. He had reportedly been detained in June 2025 after flagging down agents and making threats, and again in July 2025 after entering a restricted area.
President Donald Trump praised the Secret Service and law enforcement response in a Truth Social post, calling their actions swift and professional.
Trump said the gunman had a violent history and a possible obsession with the White House. He also said the incident showed the need for stronger security protections around the executive mansion.
The FBI, ATF and Metropolitan Police Department also responded to the scene.
Reporters near the White House said Secret Service agents ordered them to get down before members of the press were moved into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
Agents were later seen on White House grounds with weapons drawn as authorities secured the area.
Trump was at the White House during the incident but was not affected, according to the Secret Service.
The shooting came hours after Trump said his administration was close to finalizing a deal to end the war with Iran.
The investigation remains ongoing.
BREAKING: 🚨 Shots fired outside The White House.
Secret Service takes down two people, one suspect and possibly one bystander. pic.twitter.com/PCZuSsZwN9
— TRENDING ➞ 911 (@911NewsBreaks) May 23, 2026
