Topline: A gunman identified as Nasire Best was fatally shot by Secret Service officers outside the White House after authorities say he opened fire near a security checkpoint.
Published: May 27, 2026 7:00 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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WASHINGTON, DC — Secret Service officers fatally shot 21-year-old Nasire Best on Saturday evening after authorities say he pulled a weapon from a bag and began firing near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW outside the White House complex.
According to PIX11, the shooting happened around 6 p.m. at a White House security checkpoint. Officers returned fire after Best allegedly opened fire, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Authorities said a bystander was struck by gunfire, though no immediate details were released about that person’s condition. No officers were injured.
Evidence markers, crime scene tape and medical supplies were visible on the sidewalk outside the White House after the shooting. The White House was temporarily placed on lockdown as the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies responded.
District of Columbia court records show Best had previously been arrested in July 2025 after authorities said he tried to enter a different White House checkpoint without authorization, ignored commands to stop, claimed he was Jesus Christ and said he wanted to be arrested. A pretrial stay-away order was later issued, and a bench warrant followed in August after a notice of noncompliance.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time after canceling weekend travel plans, and later publicly thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for neutralizing the suspect. The shooting marked the third time in the past month that shots had been fired near the president, according to the report.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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How a Gunman Who Claimed He Was Jesus Ended Up Dead Outside the White House
A gunman identified as Nasire Best was fatally shot by Secret Service officers outside the White House after authorities say he opened fire near a security checkpoint.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: May 27, 2026 7:00 am ET
WASHINGTON, DC — Secret Service officers fatally shot 21-year-old Nasire Best on Saturday evening after authorities say he pulled a weapon from a bag and began firing near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW outside the White House complex.
According to PIX11, the shooting happened around 6 p.m. at a White House security checkpoint. Officers returned fire after Best allegedly opened fire, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Authorities said a bystander was struck by gunfire, though no immediate details were released about that person’s condition. No officers were injured.
Evidence markers, crime scene tape and medical supplies were visible on the sidewalk outside the White House after the shooting. The White House was temporarily placed on lockdown as the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies responded.
District of Columbia court records show Best had previously been arrested in July 2025 after authorities said he tried to enter a different White House checkpoint without authorization, ignored commands to stop, claimed he was Jesus Christ and said he wanted to be arrested. A pretrial stay-away order was later issued, and a bench warrant followed in August after a notice of noncompliance.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time after canceling weekend travel plans, and later publicly thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for neutralizing the suspect. The shooting marked the third time in the past month that shots had been fired near the president, according to the report.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
How a Gunman Who Claimed He Was Jesus Ended Up Dead Outside the White House
A gunman identified as Nasire Best was fatally shot by Secret Service officers outside the White House after authorities say he opened fire near a security checkpoint.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: May 27, 2026 7:00 am ET
WASHINGTON, DC — Secret Service officers fatally shot 21-year-old Nasire Best on Saturday evening after authorities say he pulled a weapon from a bag and began firing near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW outside the White House complex.
According to PIX11, the shooting happened around 6 p.m. at a White House security checkpoint. Officers returned fire after Best allegedly opened fire, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Authorities said a bystander was struck by gunfire, though no immediate details were released about that person’s condition. No officers were injured.
Evidence markers, crime scene tape and medical supplies were visible on the sidewalk outside the White House after the shooting. The White House was temporarily placed on lockdown as the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies responded.
District of Columbia court records show Best had previously been arrested in July 2025 after authorities said he tried to enter a different White House checkpoint without authorization, ignored commands to stop, claimed he was Jesus Christ and said he wanted to be arrested. A pretrial stay-away order was later issued, and a bench warrant followed in August after a notice of noncompliance.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time after canceling weekend travel plans, and later publicly thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for neutralizing the suspect. The shooting marked the third time in the past month that shots had been fired near the president, according to the report.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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