Gunfire at White House checkpoint kills suspect, wounds bystander

A person opened fire at a White House security checkpoint on Saturday evening and was shot and killed by officers who returned fire, the U.S. Secret Service said. The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best of Dundalk, Maryland, according to Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department.

A bystander was also struck by gunfire, though it was not immediately clear whether the injury came from the suspect's shots or those fired by officers.

m. near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was taken to a hospital and later died. None of the officers were injured. President Trump was at the White House during the incident but was not impacted, the Secret Service said.

The Metropolitan Police Department advised the public to avoid the area while the scene was processed.

It was the third time in the past month that gunfire had broken out near the president, following incidents at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in April and near the Washington Monument earlier in May. Court records show Best was arrested in July 2025 after attempting to enter a different White House checkpoint without authorization, did not heed officers' commands, claimed he was Jesus Christ, and said he wanted to be arrested.

A bench warrant was issued in August after he failed to appear for a subsequent hearing. " — Associated Press, May 23, 2026 Journalists working at the White House reported hearing a series of gunshots and were told to seek shelter inside the press briefing room.

Evidence markers and crime scene tape were placed along the sidewalk outside the complex.

Justice filing submitted Sunday night described the shooting as another attempted assassination of the president, his family, and his staff. " The filing also referenced an April 25 incident in which an alleged gunman tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

It argued that the proposed White House ballroom would provide a secure venue for large events, citing features such as a heavy steel roof, missile-resistant columns, and bulletproof glass. " — Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, May 25, 2026 filing The submission was made ahead of oral arguments scheduled for June 5 before a panel of the D.C. Circuit court reviewing an injunction against above-ground construction of the ballroom.