Authorities identified the deceased suspect in Saturday night’s shooting near the White House as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who officials say had prior encounters with law enforcement and documented mental health concerns.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Federal authorities have identified the man killed following a shooting near the White House Saturday evening as 21-year-old Nasire Best, a suspect officials say previously attempted to gain unauthorized access to the White House complex and had a documented history of mental health issues.
The shooting unfolded near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, close to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and within blocks of the White House grounds. Journalists positioned on the North Lawn and near Pebble Beach — where television crews commonly conduct live broadcasts — reported hearing between 20 and 30 gunshots during the incident as Secret Service agents rushed media personnel into the White House briefing room.
According to NBC News correspondent Tom Winter, six senior law enforcement officials confirmed that Best was the individual who opened fire at a U.S. Secret Service security checkpoint.
Those officials told NBC News the suspect had “a documented history with law enforcement and prior concerns about his mental health.”
Best was transported to a nearby hospital after the exchange of gunfire but was later pronounced dead.
Conservative attorney Mike Davis stated in a post on X that law enforcement officials confirmed Best had previously been arrested on July 10, 2025, after allegedly attempting to enter the White House complex.
Per law enforcement, this is a photo of 21-year-old Nasire Best who died in a gunfight with Secret Service officers near the White House: pic.twitter.com/7OqvTD27Vj
— 🇺🇸 Mike Davis 🇺🇸 (@mrddmia) May 24, 2026
“Per law enforcement: Nasire Best was previously arrested on July 10, 2025 for attempting to enter the White House complex. He had serious mental-health issues,” Davis wrote.
Authorities have not publicly released a motive for the shooting, and investigators have not said whether Best specifically targeted federal personnel or government property.
According to a Fox News report, at least one bystander was struck during the gunfire exchange. Officials said it remains unclear whether the individual was hit by shots fired by the suspect or by return fire during the confrontation with Secret Service personnel.
Fox News reported that no Secret Service agents were injured.
Officials also reiterated that the suspect had a known history of mental health concerns.
Following the incident, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted a message on X emphasizing that President Donald Trump remained at work inside the White House during the security incident.
“President Trump is working at 8:00 PM. Can’t stop, won’t stop,” Cheung wrote in a social media post.
Video footage captured by journalists and media crews stationed outside the White House showed agents rapidly evacuating reporters and ordering members of the press into secure areas as the shooting unfolded nearby.
Federal investigators have not announced whether additional charges or investigative findings are expected as authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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