The suspect involved in the White House shooting was previously arrested for attempts to access the area, showing potential mental health issues, according to law enforcement.
The individual, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Dundalk, Maryland, had previously obstructed a White House entry lane in June 2025. He reportedly claimed to be Jesus Christ and wanted to be arrested, leading to a mental health evaluation. Best attempted to access the White House again in July 2025 and was arrested for unlawfully entering federally controlled property.
Court documents indicated he was ordered to stay away from the White House, but he missed a follow-up court date in August 2025, resulting in a no-bond warrant limited to D.C., allowing law enforcement to arrest him.
On Saturday, Best resurfaced near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, where he pulled a revolver from a messenger bag and fired at a Secret Service checkpoint. Return fire from officers resulted in Best being shot and killed. A bystander was injured, although the source of the gunfire remains unclear. The injured individual underwent surgery and is in stable condition.
The shooting took place near a Starbucks on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, with bullet damage visible at the White House History Shop the day following the incident. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau Force Investigation Team will manage the investigation, tasked with examining the scene, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assessing the sequence of events.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. will also review the shooting to explore potential civil rights or criminal charges. Secret Service personnel’s internal review is conducted separately by the Office of Professional Responsibility and the criminal investigation into Best’s actions.
Sara Cook, Aaron Navarro, Pat Milton, Jennifer Jacobs, and Faris Tanyos contributed to this report.