Nasire Best, 21, of Maryland, was shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service agents after opening fire near a White House security checkpoint on 17th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, close to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, on May 23, 2026. A bystander was also wounded, and President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time but was not harmed.
The incident unfolded around 6:10 p.m. when Best was seen pacing near the checkpoint before pulling a revolver from his bag and firing at officers. Secret Service agents immediately returned fire, critically wounding him.
He was transported to George Washington University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses reported hearing between 15 and 30 shots during the exchange, which triggered a temporary lockdown of the White House complex.
Authorities confirmed that a civilian bystander was struck by gunfire and hospitalized. No Secret Service personnel were injured. Reporters on the North Lawn described hearing rapid gunfire before being rushed into the press briefing room for safety. The lockdown lasted nearly an hour before being lifted.
Best was already known to federal authorities. In June 2025, he was detained after flagging down agents and making threats, and weeks later he was arrested for unlawful entry into a restricted area near the White House. During that encounter, he claimed he was Jesus Christ and said he wanted to be arrested. He was subsequently committed to a psychiatric ward for treatment.
Investigators are also reviewing Best’s social media activity. Posts from December 2025 included threats against President Trump, with one referencing the July 2024 Butler rally assassination attempt and suggesting that if he had been the shooter, “it woulda been a totally different story.” Other posts claimed he was “the son of God.”
Officials have not yet disclosed a motive for the May 23 shooting, nor confirmed whether Best intended to target President Trump directly. The FBI is assisting the Secret Service in the investigation, which will examine whether Best acted alone or had accomplices.
The confrontation has reignited concerns about White House security and the challenges posed by individuals with documented mental health issues who repeatedly attempt to breach restricted areas. Authorities stressed that despite the chaos, no protectees were impacted, and the swift response by agents prevented further casualties.
