Troubled Gunman Eliminated Near White House by Secret Service

By: J.J. Pavlick | New York, NY | May 23, 2026 |

Washington, D.C. – A 21-year-old Maryland man with a documented history of confrontations near the White House was shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service officers Saturday evening after opening fire at a security checkpoint on the northwestern edge of the White House complex, authorities said. A bystander was also struck by gunfire, though officials have not released that person’s identity or condition.

The gunman, identified by multiple law enforcement sources as Nasire Best, approached the checkpoint shortly after 6 p.m., pulled a firearm from a bag, and began shooting. Secret Service officers returned fire, fatally wounding him. President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time.

The shooting triggered a brief lockdown and sent reporters on the North Lawn scrambling for cover as agents rushed across the grounds. The Secret Service confirmed Best’s death several hours later.

A Suspect With a Troubling History

Best’s encounters with the Secret Service stretch back nearly a year. According to court records and affidavits reviewed by reporters:

• He was detained in June 2025 after blocking a vehicle entry point and telling officers he was “Jesus Christ” and wanted to be arrested.
• He was arrested again in July for entering a restricted area on the White House grounds and ignoring commands to stop.
• Agents were already familiar with him for repeatedly approaching entry posts and asking how to gain access to the complex.
• A judge issued a stay-away order following his July arrest. When Best failed to appear for an August hearing, a bench warrant was issued.

President Trump, in a social media post, described the gunman as having “a violent history” and a “possible obsession” with the White House.

Officials have not said whether the attack was politically motivated or whether the president was an intended target. Investigators are reviewing Best’s digital footprint, communications, and travel history to determine whether he acted alone.

A Rapid Response at a Sensitive Corner

The shooting unfolded near 17th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, a heavily monitored intersection bordering the northwest corner of the White House grounds. The gunfire was audible on several live news feeds covering Memorial Day weekend events in the capital.

Secret Service officers quickly secured the area as the Metropolitan Police Department and FBI agents arrived on scene. Evidence markers lined the sidewalk as forensic teams documented shell casings and ballistic patterns late into the night.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office is leading the investigation, with Director Kash Patel receiving regular updates.

A Month of Security Incidents

Saturday’s shooting was the third armed confrontation near senior U.S. officials in less than a month:

• April 25: A California man armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives breached a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and exchanged fire with Secret Service agents. He was arrested and charged with attempting to assassinate the president.
• May 4: A Texas man was wounded in a shootout with Secret Service officers near the Washington Monument. He faces federal charges, including assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon.
• May 23: Best opened fire at the White House checkpoint and was killed by responding officers.

The cluster of incidents has renewed scrutiny of security protocols around federal landmarks and high-profile events.

Inside the White House During the Shooting

When shots rang out, reporters stationed on the North Lawn were rushed into the press briefing room as agents swept the grounds. The lockdown lasted only minutes, but the rapid response underscored the sensitivity of the location and the proximity of the gunfire to the executive residence.

President Trump later thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement officers for their response, saying the incident highlighted the need for expanded security infrastructure at the White House.

What Investigators Still Need to Determine

Authorities have not yet released:

• A confirmed motive
• Whether Best had accomplices
• How he obtained the firearm
• Whether the bystander was targeted or struck unintentionally

Officials have also not publicly confirmed Best’s identity, despite multiple outlets reporting it.

This remains a developing story, and readers should confirm updates with trusted sources as new information becomes available.

Summary

A man with a history of breaching White House boundaries returned armed, opened fire, and forced the most secure address in America into lockdown. The questions now aren’t small—motive, intent, and whether this was a lone act or part of a deeper pattern in a month already marked by armed confrontations near the nation’s highest office.

The investigation is only beginning. The stakes are obvious.

Thank you for reading our continuing coverage of this developing security incident. At Bad Dawg Media, we follow the facts with clarity, urgency, and edge—because stories like this demand nothing less.

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