Gunman shot dead near White House grounds after firing at checkpoint; lockdown and bystander injured
Consensus Summary
On May 24, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM local time, a 21-year-old man named Nasire Best approached a checkpoint near the White House at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, removed a pistol from his bag, and fired at Secret Service officers. Officers returned fire, killing Best, who was later confirmed dead at a nearby hospital. A bystander was also shot, though it remains unclear whether they were hit by Bestâs initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange. The incident triggered a White House lockdown, forcing reporters like ABC Newsâ Selina Wang to take cover and sprint to the press briefing room. The suspect had a documented history with law enforcement, including a 2025 arrest for unlawful entry into the White House complex and a court-ordered âstay-away order.â President Donald Trump was inside the White House during the incident but was unharmed. The FBI assisted the Secret Service in the investigation, and the lockdown was lifted once the immediate threat was neutralized. The shooting occurred amid a series of recent security incidents targeting Trump, including an attempted assassination at the White House Correspondentsâ Association Dinner in April 2026.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A 21-year-old man named Nasire Best was shot and killed by Secret Service officers near the White House checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW on May 24, 2026, around 6:00 PM local time.
- The suspect approached a checkpoint near the White House, removed a pistol from a bag, and fired three shots at officers before being shot by Secret Service agents.
- A bystander was also shot during the exchange, but it remains unclear whether they were struck by the suspectâs initial gunfire or during the subsequent return fire.
- The White House was placed into lockdown, and reporters, including ABC Newsâ Selina Wang, ducked for cover and were directed to the press briefing room.
- The suspect had a prior history with law enforcement, including a 2025 arrest for unlawful entry into the White House complex and a âstay-away orderâ issued by a judge.
- The FBI was on the scene supporting the Secret Service and assisting with the investigation.
- President Donald Trump was inside the White House during the incident but was not impacted.
- The incident occurred near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street NW, beside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
- The suspect was identified as emotionally disturbed, with reports citing court records and law enforcement sources.
- The lockdown was lifted after the immediate threat subsided, and the suspect was taken to a nearby hospital before dying.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The suspect had been issued a âstay-away orderâ previously, citing a law enforcement official.
- The incident occurred while President Trump and other senior officials were dealing with the unfolding situation in Iran.
- Secret Service agents were involved in an armed confrontation with a man near the White House grounds earlier this month.
- The suspect, Nasire Best, claimed to be Jesus and said he wanted to get arrested during his 2025 arrest.
- Best was involuntarily committed on June 26, 2025, for obstructing vehicle entry to part of the White House complex.
- Trump praised the âswift and professional actionâ of law enforcement officials on social media.
- Trump referenced his contentious ballroom plans as a solution to future security concerns.
- Canadian tourist Reid Adrian reported hearing 20 to 25 shots, describing them as sounding like fireworks.
- The suspect was described as approaching the western side of the White House around 6:00 PM local time.
- Kris Brown, president of Brady (an anti-gun violence lobby group), commented on the uniqueness of gun violence in the US among industrialized nations.
- The suspect was identified as an emotionally disturbed person with a âstay-away orderâ previously, citing a law enforcement official.
- Cole Tomas Allen remains in custody and pleaded not guilty to charges related to the April 25 attempted assassination at the White House Correspondentsâ Association Dinner.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian and The Age report the suspect fired three shots, while Newscomau and ABC describe dozens of shots being fired during the exchange.
- The Guardian and The Age specify the suspect fired three shots, but Newscomau and ABC report multiple witnesses describing 20 to 30 shots in total, with some suggesting the suspect fired multiple rounds before being shot.
- The Guardian and The Age mention Best was arrested for unlawful entry in July 2025, but SMH does not specify the exact date of the arrest, only that it was earlier in 2025.
Source Articles
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