Gunman who triggered lockdown at White House identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best
Updated at 8 p.m. ET on May 23, 2026:The gunman who triggered a lockdown at the White House on Saturday evening has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best of Maryland, according to law enforcement. Officials said Best was already known to the Secret Service and had violated previous court orders to stay away from the White House grounds. President Donald Trump was in the Oval Office at the time of the shooting.
Best brandished a revolver and got off two or three shots before being taken down by Secret Service outside a White House checkpoint at 17th Street NW and Pennsylvania Ave. He died en route to an area hospital.
Best had multiple prior encounters with the Secret Service and had a history of mental health issues. Previously, he had been detained by the Secret Service on June 26, 2025, for flagging down agents and making threats, and again on July 10, 2025, for entering a restricted area.
Original report:
Multiple gunshots were heard near the White House on Saturday evening, prompting a lockdown by the Secret Service, which is being assisted by the FBI. President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the shooting.
???? BREAKING: SHOTS FIRED just outside the White House
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 23, 2026
Multiple reporters are saying they've heard 30 SHOTS
Press has been rushed into the press briefing room by Secret Service
White House now on lockdown.
Countersnipers on rooftop
Pray for President Trump ????????
????… pic.twitter.com/KLB0TEUKJG
Journalists and staff nearby were ordered to take cover and shelter in the White House press briefing room as Secret Service agents secured the scene.
In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the FBI is on the scene assisting Secret Service agents, adding that "we will update the public as we’re able."
The gunfire occurred shortly after 6 p.m. ET, with some saying they heard between 20 and 30 shots fired. Authorities have not yet confirmed details about the perpetrator.
Some reports indicate that two gunmen were involved. Other reports state that there was only one gunman who reportedly fired three shots at the Secret Service checkpoint on 17th St. NW and Pennsylvania Ave. before he was taken down in a shootout. One bystander was injured in the crossfire.
An hour-and-a-half earlier, Trump posted a status update on Truth Social about the deal he's negotiating with Iran, following his call with Gulf State and Middle East leaders, saying: "Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly."
This is a developing story.
