A scary scene near the White House Saturday night after a man opened fire near a Secret Service security checkpoint.
The U.S. Secret Service said the incident occurred near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near the White House complex. The man then walked toward the checkpoint and pulled out a gun from a bag and began firing at officers, officials said. Secret Service officers returned fire and the suspect was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, authorities said. No Secret Service agents were hurt but a bystander was also hit in the exchange of gunfire. Officials did not say whether the bystander was hit by the suspect’s gunfire or the return fire during the response.
The shooting caused instant panic in the area. The White House complex was locked down and reporters and others near the building were told to take cover. Witnesses described hearing a rapid-fire barrage of gunfire and law enforcement vehicles began swarming the streets surrounding the area.
The FBI also came to help with the investigation. Police are now trying to figure out what led to the shooting and if the suspect had any specific motive.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the incident but officials said he was not in danger and the suspect did not enter the grounds of the White House.
The Secret Service said the man was arrested in 2025 trying to get through another White House checkpoint and making unusual claims. Officials have not released full details about his background or what may have triggered Saturday’s attack.
It was a frightening moment for those nearby. Tourists, journalists and staff members were suddenly in the middle of a security emergency at one of the most protected locations in the country.
The White House is usually very secure, but this incident is a reminder of how quickly a public space can turn into a dangerous one. The security checkpoints are there to keep threats from getting into the complex, and in this case officers responded within moments.
But the event has raised questions. Investigators will likely examine security video, witness accounts, the suspect’s behaviour prior to the shooting and his history of run-ins with law enforcement.
There’s a lot of unknowns at this point.
Authorities have not provided a full timeline of the suspect’s movements before reaching the checkpoint. They also have not released a motive or whether they expect the injured bystander to survive.
What is clear is that the shooting made for a tense and frightening evening in Washington, D.C.
For now, officials are urging the public to stick to verified updates as the investigation progresses. Early reports on fast-moving incidents such as this may change as more evidence is reviewed.
Now the attention is on the injured bystander, the responding officers and the investigators who are trying to figure out why this happened.
This incident is a reminder that danger can hit suddenly, even close to very secure sites. It also illustrates the pressure on law enforcement officers who are tasked with protecting public spaces where tourists, journalists, workers and officials may all be present at the same time.