A man opened fire near the White House on Saturday, drawing swift action from federal agents. The 21-year-old suspect had a history with the Secret Service, court records revealed.
He approached a checkpoint just after 6 PM, pulled out a gun from his bag, and fired shots. Officers on duty returned fire, hitting him. Unfortunately, a bystander was also injured, though it’s unclear from whom the shots came. Thankfully, no officers were hurt.
The shooter, identified as Nasire Best, had previously attempted to enter the White House complex multiple times. According to a court affidavit from 2025, he had been seen asking how to access various entry points. He even claimed to be Jesus and expressed a desire to be arrested during earlier encounters.
In June 2025, Best was involuntarily committed after obstructing vehicle entry to the White House. Following that, he was arrested for walking into a restricted area. A judge had issued a stay-away order, preventing him from approaching the White House.
The FBI is working with the Secret Service and local police to investigate the incident. Donald Trump, who was inside the White House during the shooting, noted the gunman’s “violent history” and praised the quick response from law enforcement.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about security at the White House. Just a month earlier, shots were fired at a separate event, raising alarms about safety measures. Experts suggest that increasing presence and surveillance could be crucial for protecting such high-profile locations.
For more details on the incident, you can read the full report from The Guardian or The Washington Post.
