Officials confirmed that a suspect involved in a shooting near the White House was killed during an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents on Saturday evening.
CBS, the US media partner of BBC, identified the suspect as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old man with a known history of mental health issues and prior interactions with the Secret Service.
The Secret Service reported that one bystander sustained injuries in the shooting, but did not disclose further details about their condition. No officers were harmed during the incident.
Authorities are investigating the shooting, and road closures around the White House will likely remain in effect overnight.
The event took place at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The Secret Service stated that between 10 and 20 gunshots were fired.
According to the Secret Service, a man drew a gun from his bag and began shooting shortly before 6 PM. Secret Service agents returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
CBS identified the suspect as Nasire Best, who had previously attempted to enter the White House in July 2025 and was arrested by Secret Service. He had spent time in a psychiatric facility and had lived in Washington, DC for the past eighteen months.
President Donald Trump was present at the White House during the shooting and has not yet commented on the incident, though a White House official confirmed he was briefed.
This incident follows a recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
After the gunfire erupted, reporters at the White House were quickly directed to a briefing room. Some were filming when the shots were fired, capturing the sound of gunfire in the background.
ABC’s Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang shared footage showing her taking cover while shots rang out across the North Lawn. She noted on social media that they were instructed to sprint to the press briefing room.
Aaron Navarro, a CBS News reporter, reported hearing gunshots from the North Lawn, describing them as coming from different guns nearby. He recalled the immediate reaction of reporters ducking down and Secret Service officers urging everyone to get inside.
Once inside, reporters were secured in the press briefing room for about 30 minutes. They observed Secret Service officers and ambulances in the vicinity.
Navarro mentioned uncertainty about President Trump’s exact location during the shooting and whether he heard the gunfire, given the distance. He noted that the shooting occurred in a busy area, although it was less crowded due to the weekend.
Emma Nicholson, a CBS News White House associate producer, recounted that her news crew was preparing to record when they heard multiple gunshots and quickly took cover. They were subsequently escorted into the White House.
