Gunman killed after shootout near White House: Chaos, Heroic Response
By: Abudu Olalekan
It started like any other Saturday evening in D.C. — until the shots rang out.
Just after 6 PM, right by the White House security perimeter, a man pulled a weapon from his bag and opened fire. Secret Service agents returned fire. The gunman went down. A bystander got hit too. No agents were injured.
President Trump was inside the White House at the time — reportedly deep in negotiations with Iran — but he was never in danger. Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi confirmed it all in a calm, measured statement: “Suspect was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. One bystander was struck. Condition unknown.”
Trump, never one to skip a moment, took to Truth Social early Sunday: “Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action… against a gunman… who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure.”
Eyewitnesses described pure chaos. Canadian tourist Reid Adrian told AFP: “We heard probably 20 to 25 what sounded like fireworks, but they’re gunshots, and then everyone started running.” Journalists on the North Lawn were ordered to drop everything and shelter in the press briefing room. ABC News correspondent Selina Wang was filming for social media when it happened — her video captured the crackle of gunfire as she hit the deck. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots,” she later posted on X.
Turns out, the suspect is Nasire Best, 21, from Maryland. Multiple U.S. outlets ID’d him. He’s got a documented history of mental health struggles and multiple prior interactions with Secret Service.
And look — this isn’t Trump’s first close call. Three alleged assassination attempts now. Last April, an armed man stormed a hotel security checkpoint where Trump was attending a media gala. Never got close. July 2024, a gunman at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally killed an audience member and nicked Trump’s ear. Then another armed man was arrested on a West Palm Beach golf course while Trump played a round.
House Republicans reacted fast: “Thank God President Trump is safe… Endless gratitude to the Secret Service… Political violence has to stop.”
Trump’s been doubling down on White House security lately — tearing down the East Wing for a $400 million ballroom project he calls “drone-proof,” with an underground military hospital to boot.
For now, the scene’s locked down. National Guard troops, police, Secret Service — all over it. Investigation’s ongoing. But the message from the Secret Service last night was clear: they did their job. Swiftly.
