Shots Fired Near White House as Secret Service Responds

Shots were fired near the northwestern corner of the White House complex while President Trump was inside the building. The Secret Service returned fire, killing the gunman.

This incident happened on May 24, 2026, at 12:18 p.m. ET. It marked the third shooting in the vicinity of top U.S. officials over the past month. The latest occurred on Saturday evening when a gunman approached the White House complex. He took a gun from a bag and began shooting, resulting in gunfire exchanged with Secret Service officers. A bystander was also affected, although details about the person’s condition were not disclosed.

No officers were injured during the incident, according to the Secret Service. President Trump, present in the White House at the time, expressed gratitude towards the Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift response. He described the shooter as having a “violent history” and “possible obsession” with the White House.

Details about the shooter:

The gunman, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. Mr. Best had previously been arrested in July of the previous year for entering a restricted area on White House grounds and ignoring signs and commands to stop.

According to an affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court, Secret Service personnel were previously familiar with Mr. Best for inquiries on accessing the White House at various entry posts. In June prior to that arrest, he was held for blocking a vehicle entry on the east side of the White House. At that time, Mr. Best faced a misdemeanor charge of unlawful entry with no pending warrants. During the arrest, he claimed to officers that “he was Jesus Christ and wanted to get arrested.”