By Alejandra Jaramillo, Evan Perez, Holmes Lybrand, Josh Campbell, Julia Benbrook, CNN
(CNN) – Secret Service officers shot and killed an individual who approached a security checkpoint on Saturday near the White House and opened fire at them.
Just before 6 p. m. ET, a person came up to a checkpoint just outside the White House complex and started shooting at officers, according to a spokesperson from the Secret Service, referencing initial findings from their investigation.
The Secret Service officers returned fire and struck the suspect, who later passed away at a nearby hospital, the spokesperson stated.
“During the shooting, a bystander was also hit by gunfire. It’s still unclear whether this bystander was injured by the suspect’s initial shots or during the following exchange of gunfire,” added the spokesperson.
No Secret Service personnel were hurt in the incident. President Donald Trump was in residence and remained unaffected; he has been briefed about what happened by the Secret Service, according to a White House official.
The bystander is currently in critical condition, as reported by a law enforcement official.
This event occurred less than a month after chaos erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner when reporters and Trump administration officials had to take cover as shots were fired.
Trump expressed his gratitude towards Secret Service and law enforcement for their quick action against the threat in a post on Truth Social early Sunday.
The situation “demonstrates how crucial it is for all future Presidents to have what will be the safest space ever built in Washington, D. C. Our Country’s National Security demands it!” he wrote.
The suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, according to three sources who spoke with CNN. Best had previous interactions with the Secret Service; one law enforcement source mentioned an incident from June 2025 when he blocked an entry lane at the White House claiming he was “God.” He was detained by Secret Service agents then committed for mental evaluation at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington.
A month later in July 2025, Best was arrested again for trying to access a driveway within the White House complex. A judge issued an order prohibiting him from entering White House grounds.
While looking into last year’s incidents involving Best, investigators found that he had made various posts on social media where he claimed to be “the real” Osama bin Laden and expressed desires to harm Trump in at least one instance; said one source.
However, police had never encountered him displaying violent behavior or carrying weapons previously according to another law enforcement source.
Shooting Sparks Quick Security Response
CNN reporters heard what sounded like multiple gunshots near the White House shortly after 6 p. m. ET. This led to roughly 40 minutes of lockdown for press members on-site along with an immediate response from Secret Service agents.
The gunfire erupted nearly an hour after reporters were informed that there would be no further press events that day around 5:06 p. m., meaning many journalists had already left before this incident unfolded.
Members of the press located on North Lawn were rushed into the briefing room where they were instructed to shelter in place while agents shouted “get down” and alerted everyone about “shots fired.” CNN counted about two dozen journalists taking cover inside during this lockdown period including photographers and correspondents among others.
Secret Service agents armed with rifles could be seen moving through North Lawn area following this event while blocking access to press briefing room. The lockdown ended shortly after 6:45 p. m. ET.
This situation developed right after several high-ranking officials including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were seen leaving grounds captured by CNN cameras along with Vice President JD Vance.
Trump stayed back in Washington over this weekend instead of going ahead with his planned trip to his golf club located in New Jersey.
CNN reached out seeking comments from both White House representatives as well as DC Metropolitan Police alongside DC Fire & EMS Department regarding these occurrences. FBI Director Kash Patel noted on X that their agency arrived quickly offering support for Secret Service’s efforts here too;.
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