White House Firing: Gunman Killed; Attempt To Kill Trump?
A 21-year-old gunman with a history of mental health issues was fatally shot by the Secret Service after opening fire outside a White House checkpoint while President Donald Trump was inside.
On Saturday, May 23, 2026, the peace outside the White House shattered when a gunman opened fire near the west gate on 17th Street NW. Around 6:00 p.m., the suspect began acting suspiciously before drawing a handgun and firing three random shots.
The U.S. Secret Service reacted instantly, returning fire within seconds and neutralizing the suspect before he could breach the secure perimeter. During the chaos, a nearby bystander was injured, and reporters on the grounds were quickly corralled into the press briefing room for lockdown.
The shooter was rushed to George Washington Hospital, where he later died. Inside the residence, President Trump—who was in a meeting regarding Iran—was unharmed and later praised the law enforcement agencies for their quick, professional response.
The shooter was later identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, a former high school track athlete from Baltimore County. While friends remembered him as once energetic and friendly, they noted a severe, recent mental health spiral.
Best had reportedly begun talking about controlling reality and believing he was God, leading him to quit his job at Amazon and completely isolate himself from his family. Tragically, his mother only learned of his death through social media.
This marks the third time in a single month that gunfire has erupted near President Trump. While the shooter's mental health is a primary focus of the investigation, foreign affairs expert Waiel Awwad noted a potential geopolitical undertone.
Because the incident coincided with sensitive, high-stakes talks, Awwad suggested the shooting could serve as a violent warning from factions desperate to derail a potential U.S.-Iran peace deal.
