Shooting Incident Near the White House Involves Suspect with Prior Arrest

On May 23, 2026, a shooting occurred near the White House involving a 21-year-old man named Nasire Best from Maryland. Best had previously been barred from the White House due to an arrest for entering a restricted area. According to authorities, he approached a Secret Service checkpoint around 6 p.m., pulled a gun from a bag, and began firing at officers. Secret Service agents returned fire, resulting in Best being shot and later dying in the hospital. A bystander was also struck during the incident, but it is unclear whether the injury was caused by Best's gunfire or during the exchange with officers. Court records indicate that Best had a history of encounters with the Secret Service, including a previous arrest for blocking a vehicle entrance and expressing a desire to be arrested. The shooting took place while President Donald Trump was inside the White House, though he was not harmed. The lockdown of the White House was lifted approximately 30 minutes later, but law enforcement remained present in the area. This incident followed another security breach at a White House event a month prior.