Secret Service shoots man near White House after gunfire

21-year-old opened fire at checkpoint; bystander wounded, no agents injured

A man was shot and killed by Secret Service agents after opening fire near a checkpoint close to the White House on Saturday evening.

The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. local time on May 23, when the individual, identified as 21-year-old Nasir Best, approached a security post in the White House area and began shooting at agents, according to a Secret Service spokesperson.

Agents returned fire, striking Best, who later died in the hospital. During the exchange, a bystander was also hit by a bullet. Authorities said it remains unclear whether the civilian was struck by the initial shots fired by the suspect or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire.

No Secret Service personnel were injured. President Donald Trump, who was at the White House at the time, was briefed on the incident.

According to CNN, citing three sources, Best had prior encounters with the Secret Service. In June 2025, he blocked an access route to the White House and was detained after declaring himself to be “God.” He was subsequently admitted to the Washington Psychiatric Institute for evaluation.

In July of last year, he was arrested again after attempting to enter a driveway within the White House complex. A judge later issued an order barring him from approaching the presidential residence.

Investigators had also identified multiple social media posts attributed to Best, including statements in which he claimed to be “the real” Osama bin Laden and messages expressing intent to harm Trump.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)