Suspect in White House Shooting Had Prior Incidents

Law enforcement sources and court documents reveal that the suspect involved in Saturday’s shooting outside the White House had a history of attempting to access the property and possibly suffered from mental health issues. The 21-year-old alleged gunman, identified as Nasire Best from Dundalk, Maryland, had previously tried to enter the White House area.

Documents obtained show that in June 2025, Best blocked a White House entry lane, claiming to be Jesus Christ and expressing a desire to be arrested. He was sent for a mental evaluation. The situation repeated in July 2025 when Best attempted to access the area again.

Secret Service agents arrested him at that time and charged him with unlawfully entering a federally controlled property in Washington. A judge ordered Best to stay away from the site, according to court records from D.C. Superior Court.

Best was released after arraignment but failed to attend a status hearing in August 2025. This led to a no-bond, D.C.-only bench warrant for his arrest.

On Saturday, Best reappeared outside the White House near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. He allegedly pulled a revolver from his messenger bag and fired at a Secret Service checkpoint, sources told CBS News.

Law enforcement reported that multiple uniformed division officers returned fire, killing the suspect. A bystander was injured in the shooting, and while it remains unclear whose gunfire caused the wound, the victim’s surgery was successful. The person remains in serious but stable condition.

The shooting occurred near a Starbucks on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Damage was visible, with broken glass and bullet holes seen at the White House History Shop the following day.

The Metropolitan Police Department will lead the use-of-force inquiry, a standard process in D.C. The Internal Affairs Bureau Force Investigation Team will manage the investigation, which includes processing the scene and gathering evidence.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. will review the police-involved fatality to consider federal civil-rights or D.C. criminal charges. This investigation is separate from an internal review by the Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the criminal inquiry into the suspect’s actions.

Contributions to this report were made by Sara Cook, Aaron Navarro, Pat Milton, Jennifer Jacobs, and Faris Tanyos.