A suspect was killed after opening fire on a Secret Service checkpoint near the White House on Saturday evening.

US broadcaster CBS identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best, a man reportedly known to the Secret Service who had a documented history of mental health issues. 

Following the incident, US President Donald Trump praised officers for their “swift and professional action” in detaining the gunman. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the suspect as having a “violent history” and a possible fixation on the White House. 

The shooting has heightened security concerns in Washington, coming just one month after another gunman opened fire during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, renewing debate over threats targeting high-profile government sites and events.

Bystander wounded in incident near White House

The gunfire erupted after the man pulled a handgun from a bag and opened fire at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, close to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, BBC reported.

Secret Service officers stationed nearby immediately returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Authorities said one bystander was also wounded during the incident, though no additional details on their condition were released. No Secret Service personnel were injured in the attack, which triggered a major security response in the area.

The Secret Service said President Trump was inside the White House during the shooting, although the agency stressed that “no protectees or operations were impacted” by the incident.

According to a source familiar with the investigation cited by CBS, the suspect, Nasire Best, had previously attempted to enter the White House in July 2025 and was arrested by officers in the surrounding area. The source said he was later treated at a psychiatric facility and had been living in Washington, DC for approximately 18 months before the shooting.

Trump cites White House shooting in renewed call for tighter security 

President Trump praised Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers for their response to the shooting near the White House, describing their actions as “swift and professional” in a post on social media. Trump also linked the incident to broader security concerns around the presidential complex, noting that it came shortly after another shooting disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. 

He argued that the back-to-back incidents underscored the need for stronger protection measures for future presidents, referencing his proposal to build what he described as an ultra-secure new ballroom at the White House complex in Washington.

The sound of gunfire also sent reporters and White House staff scrambling for cover, with journalists quickly escorted into a secure briefing room as the incident unfolded nearby. Several reporters who had been filming live outside the White House captured the distant sound of shots while speaking on camera.

Senior congressional leaders later commended the Secret Service response. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was “grateful” for the agents’ efforts, while House Speaker Mike Johnson praised what he described as the agency’s “decisive action.” In a post on social media, Johnson also expressed support for those injured, saying his prayers were with the victims of the “senseless shooting” and wishing them a speedy recovery.