We are living in strange times as young people are handling arms in the most irresponsible manner. On May 23, 2026, a similar incident happened when a suspec open fired at a White House security checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. This led Secret Service Officers to return fire, which killed the gunmen.
Who is White House shooting suspect?
On May 23, 2026, a 21-year-old suspect, identified as Nasire Best, opened fire near White House, due to which a bystander was struck and is in critical condition. However, it is unclear if the person was shot by the 21-year-old or the responding officer. It is worth mentioning that this is the third incident of gunfire near President Donald Trump since last month. Earlier, a similar shooting incident happened at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner and before it near the Washington Monument.
Nasire Best, gunman who opened fired near White House (photo: social media/AP)
The 21-year-old who opened fire near the White House security perimeter on the evening of May 23, 2026. He is from Maryland. As per media reports, Nasire Best had a documented history of mental health issues. And this wasn’t the first incident in which he had broken the law and come to the attention of the US Secret Service.
Nasire was previously arrested last year in July 2025. He was trying to enter White House, the unauthorised White House entry, which caught the attention of agents, and court records show that Nasire claimed at that time that he was ‘Jesus Christ’ and a ‘Pretrial Stay Away Order’ was issued against him.
According to ABC News White House correspondent Selinga Wang, she heard ‘a dozen gunshots’ while filming near the premises. After this, the Secret Service confirmed no law enforcement personnel were injured, but reporters kept away for around 40 minutes. U.S. media reports also claimed that Nasire had multiple encounters with federal security personnel.
On June 2025, Nasire was detained for flagging down agents and making threats. He was detained again in July of 2025 for entering a restricted area without permission. As per The New York Post, Nasire was believed to be suffering from metal ailment. He highly believed he was Jesus Christ. This time, he had violated a court order that directed him to stay away from the White House complex. BNO News also claimed that Nasire tried entering the White House last year as well. However, the details behind the shooting have not yet been addressed by the authorities.
How did the shooting unfold?
As per the Associated Press, people heard open fires near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, which was just a block away from the White House. Journalists who were stationed at the White House claimed to have heard multiple gunshots before they were asked to take shelter inside the press briefing room.
The investigators believe that Nasire opened fire near White House due to his mental instability. However, a detailed investigation is underway to determine if there was any political motive behind the gruesome attack, which resulted in Nasire’s loss of life. In order to neutralise him, the officer returned fire in a barrage, due to which Nasire was left injured. He was then taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The incident re-highlighted security concerns around Donald Trump, who has been facing multiple assassination attempts in the past month. He was the target of many assassinations.
What do you think of Nasire Best’s motive for firing near White House?
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