Man Fatally Shot After Opening Fire on Agents Near the White House Identified

Shooting Near the White House

Secret Service Returned Fire

Trump Spoke About the Attacker

The person fatally shot after opening fire near the White House was identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, according to a police officer.

The incident occurred near the official residence of U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to La Nación, Best already had a history involving the Secret Service before Saturday’s attack.

Why it matters: The case raised security alarms around the White House because of the young man’s prior history and his alleged obsession with the presidential complex.

Nasire Best Had a History With the Secret Service

Nasire Best, the 21-year-old man shot and killed by agents outside the White House on Saturday, had previous encounters with the Secret Service, court records show – including one occasion where he was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital and another where local… pic.twitter.com/phRlw9pDGi

— CNN (@CNN) May 24, 2026

CNN reported that in June 2025, Best was involved in an incident near the White House.

According to the outlet, the young man blocked an access lane to the presidential residence and was arrested.

One month later, in July, Best was arrested again.

On that occasion, he attempted to enter a complex belonging to the presidential residence, according to the report.

A U.S. official said the White House shooting suspect had also been making alarming posts on social media.

According to that source, Best claimed to be “the real” Osama bin Laden.

On other occasions, he said he was God, the official added.

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After the attack, another official detailed that the young man had previously been identified as a person with emotional disorders.

The official also said that a “restraining order” had previously been imposed on him.

Trump Reacted to the Attack

BREAKING: The White House shooter has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best

«Best,» which is a misleading last name, had previously attempted to INFILTRATE the White House MULTIPLE times, per USSS

He’s now at the coroner’s office in a bag.

Good riddance. pic.twitter.com/8J25NHoVzZ

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 24, 2026

President Donald Trump thanked Secret Service agents and law enforcement for their response.

Trump said Best had a “violent history and a possible obsession” with the presidential headquarters.

“Thank you to our formidable Secret Service and law enforcement agents for the swift and professional response tonight against an armed man near the White House,” Trump wrote on Truth.

The president added that the attacker “appeared obsessed with our country’s most treasured building.”

So far, authorities have not released additional details about possible motives.

Nor have further details been disclosed about how the White House shooting suspect managed to approach the area while armed.

Secret Service Responded After the Shots

According to a preliminary Secret Service statement, Best pulled a gun from a bag and began firing.

The official account indicates that agents immediately returned fire.

During the exchange of gunfire, the young man was wounded.

He was later taken to George Washington Hospital.

Authorities confirmed that he died after arriving at the medical center.

Amid the incident, ABC News White House correspondent Selina Wang shared a video on X.

The journalist said she heard what sounded like “dozens of shots.”

She also explained that she ducked for cover as panic broke out in the area.

Separately, the Metropolitan Police Department reported on X that the Secret Service was working at the scene.

It also asked the public to avoid the area while investigations continued.