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A gunman was shot dead after opening fire near the White House on Saturday evening, triggering a heavy security response from the US Secret Service, police and federal agents.
The shooting happened close to the White House security perimeter while President Donald Trump was inside the presidential residence, where he was reportedly engaged in discussions related to negotiations with Iran.
According to Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi, the incident began shortly after 6pm local time when a man “pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing.”
Secret Service officers immediately returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect.
“Secret Service Police returned fire striking the suspect who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. During the shooting one bystander was also struck by gunfire,” Guglielmi said.
Authorities confirmed that no Secret Service personnel were injured during the exchange.
Trump later praised the security response, saying on Truth Social: “Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure.”
Several US media outlets identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Maryland, reporting that he had a record of mental health concerns and previous encounters with Secret Service personnel.
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The shooting forced a lockdown around the White House area, with police sealing off nearby roads while National Guard troops restricted access in parts of downtown Washington.
Canadian tourist Reid Adrian, who witnessed the chaos, described the frightening moment.
“We heard probably 20 to 25 what sounded like fireworks, but they’re gunshots, and then everyone started running,” he told AFP.
Journalists gathered on the White House North Lawn also said they were ordered to take cover inside the press briefing room as gunfire erupted.
ABC News correspondent Selina Wang, who was filming when the shooting began, captured the sound of repeated shots before diving for safety.
“It sounded like dozens of gunshots,” she wrote on X.
The incident adds to growing security concerns around Trump, who has faced multiple alleged assassination attempts in recent years, including a 2024 campaign rally shooting in Pennsylvania and another armed incident near a golf course in Florida.
Earlier this year, an armed man also breached a security checkpoint during a media event attended by the US president.
