WASHINGTON: A gunman opened fire near the White House on Saturday evening before being shot dead by the United States Secret Service, during which a bystander was also struck, according to officials.
The United States Secret Service said its agents engaged the attacker after the man approached a security perimeter near the White House and began firing.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time and was not affected by the incident. Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi said the situation posed no direct threat to the president.
The shooting occurred shortly after 6pm (3am PKT), when the suspect allegedly pulled a weapon from his bag near a security checkpoint and opened fire toward officers stationed in a protective booth.
Secret Service personnel immediately returned fire, striking the gunman. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, officials confirmed. A bystander was also hit during the exchange of gunfire, though authorities did not immediately disclose the condition of the injured individual.
No Secret Service officers were injured in the confrontation, officials added.
Law enforcement sources said the suspect has been identified in US media as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Maryland, who reportedly had a history of mental health concerns and prior interactions with authorities.
Following the incident, police and federal security agencies quickly sealed off the area, with National Guard troops helping secure access points and preventing entry into the vicinity.
The shooting took place near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, close to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which sits adjacent to the White House complex and houses key administrative offices.
According to officials, the suspect reportedly approached a Secret Service checkpoint carrying a weapon concealed in a bag before suddenly opening fire, prompting an immediate armed response.
Investigators estimated that between 15 and 30 shots may have been fired during the exchange, according to law enforcement sources cited by US media.
Journalists in the area reported hearing rapid gunfire and witnessing security personnel rushing media teams inside the White House grounds as the complex went into lockdown.
The lockdown was lifted shortly before 7pm, once authorities assessed the immediate threat had been contained.
An ABC News correspondent, Selina Wang, said she was filming near the scene when the shooting began and captured audio of the gunfire as she took cover.
The incident occurred during a highly sensitive moment, as media were gathered at the White House following Trump’s announcement of progress on a potential peace-related diplomatic deal involving Iran.
Security forces quickly moved journalists and staff indoors as the situation unfolded, with the area around the White House going into full emergency response mode.
Officials noted that despite initial alarm, there was no direct threat to the president, and he remained secure inside the White House throughout the incident.
The White House complex is heavily fortified with multiple layers of protection, including reinforced barriers, tactical units, and ballistic-resistant infrastructure designed to withstand high-caliber attacks.
The surrounding area, one of the most secure in the United States, is regularly monitored by multiple agencies including the Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local police units.
The neighborhood also includes major institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, along with tourist-heavy zones near the White House grounds.
Nearby Lafayette Square is typically crowded with tourists, demonstrators, security personnel, and media crews, underscoring the area’s constant activity and heavy surveillance.
Authorities said the suspect was believed to have a history of mental health issues, but no confirmed motive had been established at the time of reporting.
The investigation remains ongoing as federal and local agencies continue to review evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the shooting.