A suspect was killed after opening fire on U.S — Secret Service agents near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening; According to the BBC, gunfire was first heard at around 18:00 local time (23:00 GMT), forcing journalists and workers in the area to seek cover.

Suspect identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best

The Secret Service published a statement confirming that a person pulled a weapon from their bag near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue before opening fire on agents. Secret Service officers returned fire and struck the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. According to CBS. The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who had previously been arrested in July 2025 for attempting to access the White House and had been sent to a psychiatric facility.

Bystander injured; details unclear

While no Secret Service agents were injured, a bystander was struck by gunfire during the exchange; the Secret Service has not disclosed whether the person was hit by the suspect or by agents returning fire. According to the Korean news outlet Nate, the injured individual was critically hurt, though it remains unclear how the person was struck.

Details about motive and weapon remain unknown

Neither the Secret Service nor other sources have confirmed the suspect’s motive for the attack or the type of weapon used. The Secret Service confirmed that President Donald Trump was in residence at the White House at the time of the shooting, but no statements from him have been released. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots near the White House, and reporters and photographers were evacuated to a secure area as the press compound was cordoned off for roughly 40 minutes, according to Nate.

As of now, the incident remains under investigation, and no further details have been released about the suspect’s background or the circumstances leading to the attack.