A 21-year-old man was killed after exchanging gunfire with Secret Service agents near the White House on May 23, 2026, according to multiple reports. The suspect, Nasire Best, was identified by law enforcement officials and had a history of encounters with authorities, including a prior arrest for attempting to enter the White House complex. A bystander was also injured in the exchange, though details remain unclear. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed agency involvement, and the incident marks the third time in a month that gunfire was reported near President Donald Trump’s location.
Background on Nasire Best
Nasire Best, 21, was killed after opening fire near the White House complex on the evening of May 23, 2026, according to the Secret Service. He approached agents near 17th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, pulled a weapon from his bag, and began firing, the agency said. Officers returned fire, striking Best, who later died at a hospital. A bystander was also injured, though it remains unclear whether the injury resulted from the suspect’s shots or those fired by agents. The Washington Post reported that Best had previously been arrested in July 2025 for attempting to enter a different White House checkpoint without authorization.
Best’s history with law enforcement includes a 2025 incident where he “claimed he was Jesus Christ” and expressed a desire to be arrested, according to court records cited by WBFF. A “Pretrial Stay Away Order” was issued following that arrest, but a bench warrant was later issued after Best allegedly failed to comply with the court’s conditions. The 2025 incident also involved Best walking around the White House complex and inquiring about access points, according to a NPR report that cited court records.
Previous Encounters with Authorities
Best’s interactions with law enforcement span multiple years, with at least two documented incidents prior to the May 2026 shooting. In July 2025, he was arrested after attempting to enter a White House checkpoint without authorization, during which he “claimed he was Jesus Christ” and stated he wanted to be arrested, WBFF reported. A court issued a “Pretrial Stay Away Order” to prevent him from approaching the White House, but Best allegedly violated the order, leading to a bench warrant in August 2025.
For more on this story, see Deadly Shooting and Crash in Thornton, Colorado: One Person Killed, 23-Year-Old Arrested.
A separate incident occurred on June 26, 2025, when Best was involuntarily committed for “obstructing vehicle entry” to part of the White House complex, according to NPR. Social media posts attributed to Best, which were later cited by CNN, included threats against President Donald Trump and a declaration that “I’m actually the son of God.” These posts were discovered during an investigation into his prior activities, though no direct link to the May 2026 shooting has been established.
Context of Recent White House Security Incidents
The May 2026 shooting marks the third time in the past month that gunfire was reported near President Donald Trump’s location. NPR noted that this incident follows two prior events: one at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April and another near the Washington Monument in May. While the Secret Service has not confirmed a direct connection between these incidents, the frequency has raised questions about security protocols around the president.
Trump was inside the White House during the May 23 shooting but was not harmed, according to the Secret Service. The president had initially planned to spend the weekend at his New Jersey golf club but changed his plans to stay at the White House on Friday, as reported by The Washington Post. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on social media that agency personnel were on the scene, stating, “We will update the public as we’re able.”
This follows our earlier report, Chicago officer killed in hospital shooting after suspect seized weapon during transport.
Implications and Ongoing Investigations
The shooting has prompted renewed scrutiny of the Secret Service’s response to individuals with known histories of erratic behavior. Best’s prior encounters with authorities, including his claims of being “Jesus Christ” and his threats against Trump, suggest a pattern of actions that may have raised red flags. However, no official statement has been released about whether these prior incidents were flagged in real-time or if additional measures could have been taken to prevent the May 2026 incident.
Investigations into the shooting are ongoing, with the Secret Service and FBI working to determine the exact sequence of events. A bystander was injured during the exchange, but it remains unclear whether the injury resulted from the suspect’s shots or those fired by agents. NPR reported that evidence, including yellow crime scene tape and orange evidence markers, was visible outside the White House complex. Medical materials, including surgical gloves and kits, were also observed, indicating the involvement of emergency responders.
As the investigation continues, the incident highlights the challenges of balancing public safety with the need to address individuals who may pose a risk to high-profile targets. The Secret Service’s role in monitoring and responding to such threats will likely come under increased scrutiny, particularly in light of Best’s prior history and the recent cluster of security-related incidents.
