A person opened fire at a security post near the White House and was subsequently shot dead by Secret Service agents. This marks the third shooting incident near President Donald Trump within a month, according to a statement from the U.S. Secret Service released on Saturday.
The statement noted that the incident took place in the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. Eastern Time. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, reportedly pulled a gun from a bag and began shooting. Agents responded with gunfire, wounding the suspect, who was then transported to a hospital where he later died.
The official, who provided this information under anonymity due to a lack of authorization to discuss the case, confirmed recent similar incidents. Previously, gunfire occurred near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April and near the Washington Monument in early May.
On Saturday, another person was injured during the incident. However, it remains unclear if this injury resulted from the suspect’s gunfire or the agents’ response. The Secret Service confirmed that none of their agents were injured, and President Trump, who was inside the White House, remained unaffected.
Journalists present at the White House during the incident reported hearing gunfire and were instructed to take shelter inside the press briefing room. Evidence from the shooting was evident outside the White House complex, with crime scene tape and orange evidence markers scattered across the pavement. Medical supplies, including purple surgical gloves and emergency response kits, were also visible.
ABC News’ White House correspondent Selina Wang shared a video on a social media platform, describing how she heard what sounded like dozens of gunshots and took cover. In the video, Wang is seen discussing President Trump’s statements regarding a potential deal with Iran as the gunfire occurs in the background. The video was widely circulated, with over 3 million views by Saturday night.
The Metropolitan Police Department posted on social media, warning the public to avoid the area where the Secret Service continued its investigation. The location is close to a previous incident in November where an armed individual ambushed two members of the West Virginia National Guard, resulting in the death of U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and serious injuries to Andrew Wolfe. Rahmanullah Lakanwal was charged in connection with that attack.
The Saturday shooting incident followed an alleged assassination attempt on President Trump on April 25 during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Cole Tomas Allen from California has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the incident and remains in federal custody. Shortly after, Secret Service agents shot a suspect who allegedly fired shots near the Washington Monument on May 4, injuring a teenage bystander. Michael Marx from Texas was charged in connection with this event.
Photographers Jose Luis Magana and Alex Brandon, along with reporters Gary Fields, Meg Kinnard, and Matthew Daly from The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
This article was translated from English by an AP editor using AI assistance.
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