Shots Fired Near White House Security Perimeter Leave Suspect Dead and Civilian Injured
A security incident unfolded near the White House after an armed individual opened fire toward a checkpoint on 17th Street in Washington, D.C., prompting an immediate armed response from law enforcement.
According to witness accounts, the suspect—identified by authorities as 21-year-old Nasire Best—had been seen pacing and behaving erratically prior to the shooting. Moments later, he allegedly raised a revolver and fired toward a secured perimeter area. Secret Service personnel and responding agents returned fire within seconds, fatally striking the suspect.
During the exchange, a nearby civilian was injured by gunfire and transported for medical treatment. The extent of the civilian’s injuries has not yet been publicly confirmed.
The incident triggered a lockdown inside the White House, where then-President Donald Trump was reported to be working in the Oval Office at the time. Outside, law enforcement quickly secured the area, closing streets and marking evidence as investigators from the FBI began processing the scene.
Authorities have not yet released a confirmed motive. Early investigative reporting suggests the suspect may have been experiencing mental health issues, though officials emphasized that inquiries are ongoing and no definitive conclusions have been reached.
Federal and local agencies continue to review surveillance footage and witness statements as part of the active investigation into the shooting and the events leading up to it.
