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A man was killed Saturday evening after opening fire near a White House security checkpoint, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Officers returned fire after the suspect allegedly pulled a weapon from a bag and began shooting near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue shortly after 6 p.m.
Authorities identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best. He was taken to a hospital after the exchange of gunfire, where he was later pronounced dead. Officials said President Donald Trump was inside the White House during the incident and was not harmed. No Secret Service officers were injured.
Investigators also confirmed that a bystander was struck during the shooting, though authorities have not determined whether the injuries were caused by bullets fired by the suspect or by officers responding to the attack.
The area outside the White House was quickly sealed off as law enforcement officers marked evidence across the sidewalk and set up crime scene tape. Emergency medical supplies and protective equipment could also be seen scattered near the checkpoint.
ABC News senior White House correspondent Selina Wang captured part of the incident while filming a social media video outside the White House. In footage later shared online, rapid gunfire can be heard as Wang abruptly ducks for cover inside the press area. The video spread widely across social media within hours.
Saturday’s shooting marks the third gun-related incident near President Trump in the past month. In April, authorities said a California man attempted to assassinate the president during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at a Washington hotel. The suspect in that case, Cole Tomas Allen, has pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody.
Another shooting took place near the Washington Monument on May 4, when Secret Service officers shot a man accused of firing at law enforcement. A teenage bystander was injured in that incident. Michael Marx of Texas later faced federal charges connected to the case.
The latest shooting also happened close to the site of a deadly November ambush involving members of the West Virginia National Guard. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed in that attack, while another guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, suffered critical injuries. Rahmanullah Lakanwal was charged in connection with the shooting.
