Secret Service Kills Gunman After Shooting at White House Checkpoint
A 21-year-old man opened fire at a Secret Service checkpoint near the White House on Saturday evening and was killed when officers returned fire. A bystander was also wounded. President Trump was inside the building but unharmed.
usatoday.comA gunman opened fire at a Secret Service checkpoint near the White House on Saturday evening and was killed when officers returned fire. m. at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The man pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing, the Secret Service said in a statement.
Post by @BNONews on X
Officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. A bystander was also wounded, though the agency did not specify whether the injury came from the suspect or its officers.
President Trump was at the White House at the time.
The Secret Service said neither he nor any agents were impacted. The FBI and Metropolitan Police Department responded to the scene and are assisting the investigation. Law enforcement has not publicly released the suspect’s name. An official speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity identified him as 21-year-old Nasire Best.
Best had been arrested in July after attempting to enter a White House checkpoint without authorization and claiming he was Jesus Christ.
The shooting comes roughly a month after another gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. " — President Trump, May 23, 2026 (Truth Social) Reporters on the North Lawn heard multiple gunshots and were directed inside the briefing room, where they remained for about 30 minutes. Footage showed journalists ducking for cover as shots rang out.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- May 23, 2026 — 6:00 PM ET
Gunman opens fire at Secret Service checkpoint near White House.
6 sourcesWashington Times · BBC News · New York Times - May 23, 2026 — minutes later
Secret Service returns fire, killing the suspect and wounding a bystander.
6 sourcesWashington Times · BBC News · CBS News - May 23, 2026 — evening
President Trump posts message thanking Secret Service on Truth Social.
3 sourcesWashington Times · BBC News - May 24, 2026 — morning
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune issue statements.
2 sourcesBBC News
Potential Impact
- 01
Additional security reviews at White House checkpoints are expected.
Transparency Panel
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