The nation's capital endured another assault on its core institutions Saturday evening as a gunman, previously known to authorities, opened fire near a White House security checkpoint. This incident marks the third time in less than a month that gunfire has erupted in the vicinity of President Donald Trump, exposing a systemic vulnerability in the security apparatus protecting the seat of national power.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed the person who opened fire was shot by officers who returned fire and later died at a hospital. A bystander was also struck by gunfire during the incident, which occurred shortly after 6 p.m. near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House complex.
Authorities identified the suspected gunman as 21-year-old Nasire Best, of Dundalk, Maryland. Fox News reported that Best fired about three shots toward the executive mansion before being engaged by Secret Service agents, while another account indicated as many as 30 shots were heard.
Court records reveal Best had a history of interactions with Secret Service outside the White House. Less than one year ago, on July 10, 2025, he was charged in D.C. Superior Court with attempting to unlawfully enter 1699 State Place NW, one of the entry points to the White House complex.
Best was involuntarily committed less than one year ago, on June 26, 2025, by the Secret Service for allegedly obstructing vehicle entry to the White House complex at 15th Street and E Street. He was also detained on that date for flagging down agents and making threats, and again on July 10, 2025, for entering a restricted area, according to Fox News.
Erosion of Order
This shooting represents the third incidence of gunfire in the vicinity of President Donald Trump within the same month, signaling a disturbing pattern of escalating security breaches in the nation's capital.
Less than one year ago, in November 2025, a gunman ambushed two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the same location. U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her wounds, and Andrew Wolfe, then 24, was critically wounded. Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged in that incident.
Within the same month, on April 25, 2026, an attempted assassination of the president occurred as he attended an annual event at a Washington hotel. Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, recently pleaded not guilty to charges and remains in federal custody.
On May 4, 2026, also within the same month, Secret Service officers shot a suspect, Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, who had fired at officers near the Washington Monument, another site close to the White House. A teenage bystander was wounded in that incident.
The Cost of Neglect
President Trump, who was at the White House at the time and was not impacted, thanked “our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action” in a Truth Social post the same day, May 24, 2026. He had been working on the Iran peace process less than two hours before the shooting.
Trump's post also stated that the gunman was dead after an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents near the White House gates and underscored the need for stronger security protections around the White House.
The incident prompted a multi-agency law enforcement response, with FBI Director Kash Patel confirming his agency's presence and support for the Secret Service. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department also responded.
Reporters on the scene described hearing what sounded like dozens of gunshots, being rushed inside, and Secret Service agents shouting “get down” and warning of “shots fired” as the chaos unfolded near the nation's executive mansion.