Federal agents fatally shoot individual who unleashed gunfire close to White House premises

A dramatic scene unfolded near the White House on May 23, 2026, as a gunman opened fire, prompting a swift response from US Secret Service agents, who ultimately killed the assailant in a shoot-out that also left a bystander injured.

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The incident occurred at around 6:00 pm, when a man near the White House security perimeter pulled out a weapon and began firing, according to Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi.

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President Donald Trump, who was in the White House at the time, was not affected by the incident, which took place while he was working to negotiate a deal with Iran, Guglielmi said.

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A bystander was also shot during the exchange of fire, although the agency did not provide any information on the victim's condition, while no Secret Service officers were hurt in the confrontation.

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Secret Service Police returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, Guglielmi explained, adding that the shooting also resulted in a bystander being struck by gunfire.

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President Trump later expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift and professional action, describing the gunman as having a "violent history and possible obsession with our Country's most cherished structure" in a post on Truth Social.

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Multiple US media outlets identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Maryland, reporting that he had a history of mental health concerns and prior interactions with Secret Service members.

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The area around the White House was quickly cordoned off by police and security forces, with National Guard troops blocking access to the scene in downtown Washington, as people in the vicinity scrambled to safety.

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Witnesses, including Canadian tourist Reid Adrian, described hearing what sounded like fireworks, but were actually gunshots, with Adrian estimating that there were "probably 20 to 25" shots fired, prompting people to run for cover.

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Journalists on the White House North Lawn at the time of the incident were ordered to seek shelter in the press briefing room, with ABC News correspondent Selina Wang capturing the sounds of the gunfire on video as she dove to the ground.

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Wang later described the scene, saying "it sounded like dozens of gunshots" in a post on X, as the incident marked the latest in a series of security concerns surrounding President Trump.

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Trump, 79, has been the target of three alleged assassination attempts, including one on April 25, when an armed man stormed a security checkpoint at a hotel where Trump was attending a media gala, although the man did not get close to the president or other guests.

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In July 2024, Trump was targeted during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman killed an audience member and lightly wounded the then-candidate in the ear, while another armed man was arrested on a West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing a round a few months later.

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House Republicans later expressed relief that President Trump was safe, saying "Endless gratitude to the Secret Service for their immediate, heroic response" and calling for an end to political violence on X.

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Trump has cited security concerns as one of the reasons for his $400 million project to build a ballroom at the White House, which will feature six floors below a "drone-proof" ballroom, including an underground military hospital, according to the New York real estate magnate.