Shooting Incident Near White House Complex

Shots were fired at the northwestern corner of the White House grounds while President Trump was inside the building. Secret Service personnel responded by returning fire, resulting in the death of the gunman.

The gunfire incident occurred Saturday evening when a man approached the White House complex. He retrieved a gun from a bag and began shooting. Secret Service officers promptly shot and fatally wounded the individual.

A bystander was also hit by the gunfire, though Secret Service officials have not disclosed details about the person or the severity of the injuries. No officers were wounded during the incident.

President Trump, present in the White House at the time, expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement officers. He described the gunman as someone with “a violent history” and “possible obsession” with the White House.

Details on the Gunman

Authorities identified the shooter as Nasire Best, 21, according to two officials familiar with the investigation. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Mr. Best had been arrested in July for entering a restricted area on the White House grounds, ignoring signs, and failing to comply with commands to stop. An affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court indicated that Mr. Best was already known to Secret Service personnel for his attempts to access various entry points around the White House complex.

In June, he was involuntarily held for obstructing a vehicle entry on the east side of the White House, according to the affidavit. During this arrest on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful entry, he had no outstanding warrants. Mr. Best claimed to officers that “he was Jesus Christ and wanted to get arrested.”