The White House was placed on lockdown on May 23, 2026, after two individuals were shot during an incident involving the Secret Service. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, was pronounced dead shortly after 8 p.m. after being transported to a hospital. Best had a history of mental health issues and had previously attempted to gain entry to the White House in July 2025, resulting in an arrest and subsequent hospitalization in a psychiatric ward.
The shooting occurred near Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street Northwest, with the lockdown being lifted shortly after 6:45 p.m. A bystander was also reported to have been struck by gunfire, although the extent of their injuries remains unclear. The House GOP expressed gratitude to the Secret Service for their response, while other lawmakers condemned political violence.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the FBI was on the scene supporting the Secret Service. Reports indicated that approximately 20 to 30 gunshots were heard by journalists in the area. President Donald Trump was at the White House during the incident and was briefed afterward, with no impact on his activities. This incident follows a recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and another shooting involving National Guard members near the White House in late November 2025.
