Full Breakdown
White House Lockdown After Gunfire Near Checkpoint
5/24/2026, 4:04:29 AM
Incident Overview
On Saturday evening, a 21-year-old gunman opened fire outside the White House near Gate 17 on the West side. The shooter, identified as Nasire (also reported as Nasir) Best, used a revolver at a checkpoint on 17th St. Northwest around 6:10 p.m., firing a few rounds before Secret Service Uniformed Division agents neutralized him. One civilian was seriously wounded.
Timeline
~6:10 p.m.: Best was seen pacing near the checkpoint and began firing. By 6:30 p.m.: Shots rang out near Gate 17; Secret Service agents on the roof and ground responded, killing the shooter. Moments later: Press on the North Lawn were ordered to take cover and enter the briefing room. Within minutes: FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X confirming FBI support; emergency crews treated the wounded civilian and secured the area.
Shooter Profile
Nasire Best, 21, was known to the Secret Service and had previously violated a court order barring him from the White House. Sources said he was mentally troubled and believed he was Jesus Christ. No motive has been confirmed.
Official Statements & Responses
The FBI said it was on the scene, supporting the Secret Service response and would update the public as information becomes available. Secret Service agents told journalists to seek shelter on the North Lawn and move into the briefing room.
Background & Context
The shooting follows a gunman attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner a month earlier, where a lone shooter fired on the event while Donald Trump attended. It occurred less than two hours after Trump announced on Truth Social that he was working on a peace deal with Iran from the Oval Office.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights gaps in security for individuals who have breached court-order restrictions and raises questions about rapid response to spontaneous firearm threats in high-profile government zones. It may prompt reviews of mental-health assessments and enforcement of protective orders for those barred from the White House.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the shooter’s name, using “Nasire Best” and “Nasir Best.” The number of shots is reported as “dozens” by some and “about three” by others. Timing is cited as 6:10 p.m. and “shortly before 6:30 p.m.” No definitive motive is confirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able,” — Kash Patel, FBI Director
- “I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” — Selina Wang, senior ABC White House correspondent
What’s Next
The FBI and Secret Service have launched a joint investigation. Officials plan to review checkpoint security and assess compliance with court-order restrictions for individuals previously barred from the White House.
