The suspect in Saturday's shooting outside the White House had a documented history of attempts to access the building before opening fire at a Secret Service checkpoint. Court records and law enforcement sources identified the 21-year-old gunman as Nasire Best of Dundalk, Maryland.
According to CBS News, documents show Best first blocked a White House entry lane in June 2025, telling agents he was Jesus Christ and wanted to be arrested. He was sent for a mental evaluation. He attempted to access the White House area again in July 2025 and was arrested by Secret Service agents and charged with unlawfully entering a federally controlled property. A judge ordered him to stay away from the area.
D.C. Superior Court records show Best was released after arraignment on the unlawful entry charge but failed to appear for an August 7, 2025, status hearing. That triggered a no-bond, D.C.-only bench warrant authorizing his arrest.
Best reappeared outside the White House near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW on Saturday. Law enforcement sources told CBS News he pulled a revolver from a messenger bag and began firing at a U.S. Secret Service checkpoint. He emptied his magazine. The handgun was a specialized weapon obtained illegally on the streets of Baltimore, according to two law enforcement sources. Ballistics are still being processed.
Multiple uniformed division officers returned fire and killed Best. A bystander was also wounded in the shooting. It remains unclear whether that wound came from Best's gunfire or from the officers who responded. The victim underwent successful surgery Saturday night and remained in serious but stable condition.
Law enforcement officials said the shooting took place near a Starbucks on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Broken glass and bullet holes were visible Sunday at the White House History Shop nearby.
"Our officers continue to operate heroically in a heightened political threat environment," Secret Service director Sean M. Curran said Sunday in a statement. "We are grateful no officers were injured and appreciate the strong support from our federal and local partners. Our thoughts are also with the innocent bystander who was wounded during this incident. The Secret Service is hopeful he will make a full recovery."
The Metropolitan Police Department is leading the use-of-force investigation, which is standard procedure in Washington when Secret Service personnel open fire. Detectives with MPD's Internal Affairs Bureau Force Investigation Team are expected to handle the case.
