The suspected shooter in the White House shooting on Saturday, May 23, has been identified by multiple news outlets as Nasire Best, 21, who was killed in an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents at a security checkpoint outside the White House. 

According to a CBS News report, Best, 21, was from Dundalk, Maryland. Court documents and law enforcement officials cited by the outlet said that the alleged gunman may have had mental health issues and previous encounters with Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials. 

In June 2025, Best was arrested after blocking a White House entry lane. Authorities said he told agents that he was Jesus Christ and that he wanted to be arrested. Following the incident, Best was referred for a mental evaluation. He reportedly returned and tried to access the White House area again in July 2025.

 

Secret Service agents arrested Best and charged him with unlawfully entering a federally controlled property in Washington, according to the report. Court documents show a judge ordered Best to stay away from the area. 

Court records reportedly show that Best was released after being arraigned on the unlawful entry charge, but he failed to appear for a status hearing on Aug,7, 2025. The court issued a no-bond, DC-only bench warrant authorizing law enforcement to arrest him. 

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, Best arrived near the White House at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Moments after 6:00 p.m. local time,  Best pulled a revolver from a bag and opened fire at a US Secret Service checkpoint. Reporters filming outside the White House ducked and ran for cover. 

 

Several agents returned fire, striking Best. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No Secret Service agent was injured during the attack and the fire exchange. Officials also told news outlets that no “protectees” were harmed or operations impacted, BBC reports. However, a bystander was injured. 

President Donald Trump, who was at the White House at the time of the shooting, thanked Secret Service and law enforcement officers via a social media post later. 

“Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure,” Trump wrote. 

 

Trump said the gunman died after being struck during the exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents. He also noted that the attack came about a month after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026.

Trump also advocated for the construction of the new White House ballroom, saying that the recent shootings show “how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C.”  He concluded the post by writing, “The National Security of our Country demands it!”