A shooting near the White House triggered a major security response on Saturday evening after an armed man opened fire on Secret Service officers at a security checkpoint. The incident led to a brief lockdown of the White House as law enforcement rushed to secure the area.
The United States Secret Service said the attack happened shortly after 6 p.m. local time near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.. A man approached the checkpoint, pulled a firearm from a bag, and began shooting at officers.
Secret Service agents immediately returned fire and struck the suspect. He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries. Officials confirmed that a bystander was also injured during the exchange, although it is not yet clear who fired the shot that caused the injury.
Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best. Officials say he had previous encounters with authorities and a documented history of mental health concerns. Investigators are now reviewing his background and earlier incidents near the White House complex.
Court records show that Best was arrested in July after entering a restricted area close to the White House. He reportedly ignored commands from officers during that incident. Documents also state that he had previously been detained for blocking a vehicle entrance and making unusual statements to police.
Authorities say he had been known to the Secret Service due to repeated attempts to access restricted areas around the White House. In one earlier incident, he was involuntarily committed after obstructing a vehicle entry point.
Officials say the motive behind Saturday’s shooting remains unclear. Investigators are still working to determine what led to the attack and whether any warning signs were missed.
The White House was placed under lockdown shortly after the shooting. People in the area were ordered to take cover as gunshots were heard near the complex. The lockdown lasted around 30 minutes before restrictions were lifted.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the incident and was not harmed. A White House official confirmed that he was briefed immediately after the shooting.
In a post on social media, Donald Trump thanked law enforcement for their response. He also repeated his call for stronger security infrastructure around the White House, referring to plans for enhanced protective construction.
The FBI, along with other federal agencies, is now assisting in the investigation. Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and local police are also supporting the Secret Service as they examine the scene.
Witnesses in the area reported hearing multiple gunshots during the incident. Security personnel quickly cleared journalists and staff from nearby outdoor areas and moved them into secure locations inside the White House press briefing room.
The area where the shooting occurred had recently reopened to the public after being closed for several weeks. Authorities say they are now reviewing how security protocols operated at the time of the attack.
The incident has raised renewed concerns about safety around high-security government buildings in Washington, D.C. Officials say they will continue reviewing procedures to prevent similar attacks in the future.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to release further details about the suspect, the sequence of events, and the broader security response.
