Shooting Suspect Arrested Near White House: Investigation Underway

On Saturday, a shooting occurred outside the White House, involving a suspect previously known to authorities. Reports indicate the alleged gunman is 21-year-old Nasire Best from Dundalk, Maryland. Records show Best attempted to access the White House in June 2025, claiming he was Jesus Christ and seeking arrest. Consequently, he underwent a mental evaluation and made another attempt in July 2025. The Secret Service arrested and charged Best with unlawful entry, and a judge ordered him to avoid the area.

D.C. Superior Court documents reveal Best’s release post-arraignment, yet he missed a status hearing scheduled for August 7, 2025. This led to a no-bond D.C.-exclusive bench warrant authorizing his arrest. Law enforcement sources reported Best’s reappearance outside the White House on May 24, 2026, where he fired a revolver at a Secret Service checkpoint. Officers returned fire, resulting in the suspect’s death.

During the incident, a bystander sustained injuries, although the source of gunfire remains unclear. The injured underwent successful surgery and is in serious but stable condition. The shooting occurred near Pennsylvania Avenue NW’s Starbucks. The aftermath included visible damage to the White House History Shop.

The Metropolitan Police Department will manage the use-of-force investigation as standard protocol when Secret Service agents fire weapons. MPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau Force Investigation Team will oversee the officer-involved shooting inquiry, collecting evidence, interviewing individuals involved, and determining the sequence of events.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. will review the case for potential federal civil rights or D.C. criminal charges. This investigation operates separately from the internal Secret Service assessment conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility, and the criminal investigation examining the suspect’s alleged actions.