A bystander injured during a shooting near the White House remains in serious but stable condition, according to the United States Secret Service.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said officials are hopeful the injured person will make a full recovery.
Gunman Opened Fire Near White House
Authorities said the incident happened near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue on Saturday when a gunman reportedly pulled a weapon from a bag and began shooting.
Secret Service agents returned fire, striking the suspect. Officials later confirmed the suspect died at a hospital.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.
Bystander Hit During Exchange
The Secret Service confirmed that one bystander suffered a gunshot wound during the incident. However, investigators have not yet explained exactly how the individual was struck.
Authorities also have not publicly released the identity of the injured person.
In a statement posted online, Curran praised officers for responding under what he described as a heightened political threat environment.
Suspect Identified by Police
Police identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best.
According to reports, Best had previously been arrested in July 2025 after allegedly attempting to enter White House grounds.
Donald Trump was reportedly inside the White House at the time of the shooting.
Trump later commented on the incident through social media, describing the suspect as having a violent history and a possible obsession with the White House.
Recent Security Incidents Raise Concerns
The shooting happened less than a month after another security incident tied to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton.
In that earlier case, authorities said a suspect breached a security checkpoint and shot a Secret Service agent before being arrested at the scene.
The suspect in that incident, identified as Cole Allen, was charged with several federal offenses, including attempted assassination of the president and firearms-related charges.
White House Ballroom Project Draws Attention
Following the latest shooting, Trump also referenced ongoing construction of a large White House ballroom project, saying future presidents need stronger security protections.
The planned ballroom project reportedly covers around 90,000 square feet and began construction in September 2025.
The project has also sparked political debate in Washington after Senate Republicans sought additional federal funding for security upgrades connected to the construction.
However, Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough reportedly ruled against a Republican effort to pass $1 billion in related funding under Senate rules.
