This was shocking to hear.
President Donald Trump revealed a disturbing new detail Sunday night after a gunman opened fire near the White House, praising the Secret Service for what he called a rapid and heroic response that likely prevented a far worse tragedy.
In a late-night Truth Social post, Trump said the suspect had a “possible obsession” with the White House and thanked federal agents for acting immediately to secure the area.
“Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure,” Trump wrote.
The president confirmed the suspect died after an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents stationed near the White House perimeter.
Officials said the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, reportedly walked toward a White House security checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue while armed with a revolver before gunfire erupted shortly after 6:10 p.m.
According to reports, Secret Service agents responded within seconds, preventing the armed suspect from getting any closer to the White House complex.
Investigators later revealed the suspect was already familiar to law enforcement and had reportedly appeared near White House security checkpoints multiple times in the past.
During a previous incident in July 2025, Best allegedly attempted to cross a White House checkpoint without authorization while refusing commands from officers. Reports stated he made unusual claims during the confrontation and asked to be arrested.
Following that encounter, court officials issued a formal order barring him from returning to the White House grounds. Authorities later issued a bench warrant after he reportedly failed to appear for a scheduled hearing.
One bystander was reportedly injured during the chaotic scene, though officials have not yet released additional information about the individual’s condition.
The White House was temporarily placed on lockdown as Secret Service agents secured the perimeter and moved reporters and staff members to protected areas inside the complex.
The lockdown was lifted roughly 30 minutes later after authorities confirmed the threat had been contained.
Officials have not publicly announced a final motive for the shooting, though Trump suggested investigators are examining the suspect’s apparent fixation on the White House and the presidency itself.
The president also pointed to the incident as another reason additional security upgrades are necessary around the White House complex.
“This event is one month removed from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, and goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C.,” Trump wrote. “The National Security of our Country demands it!”
Trump’s remarks referenced the earlier shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April, where a suspected gunman allegedly opened fire near the Washington Hilton and wounded a Secret Service agent.
At the time of Saturday’s shooting, Trump was reportedly inside the White House working on ongoing diplomatic discussions involving Middle Eastern leaders and negotiations tied to Iran.
“I am in the Oval Office at the White House where we just had a very good call,” Trump posted earlier in the evening as international talks continued.
The latest security scare once again highlights the enormous challenges facing federal law enforcement officers tasked with protecting the White House and the president in an increasingly dangerous political environment.