White House gunman had previous run-ins with Secret Service, court documents show

May 25, 2026

A gunman identified as Nasire Best opened fire at a Secret Service checkpoint near the White House on Saturday evening, injuring a bystander before being fatally shot by officers. Best had two prior encounters with authorities at the White House in June and July 2025, during which he claimed to be Jesus Christ, underwent a mental evaluation, and was charged with unlawful entry to federal property. After failing to appear for a court hearing in August 2025, a warrant was issued for his arrest, but he remained at large until the Saturday shooting incident.

Who is affected

Nasire Best of Dundalk, Maryland (shot and killed by Secret Service)
A bystander (seriously wounded but in stable condition)
Secret Service officers at the checkpoint (returned fire but were not injured)
President Donald Trump (present at White House but unharmed)
Reporters filming outside the White House (ducked and ran for cover)

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article. The shooting incident has concluded, and the investigation appears to be in a reporting/documentation phase rather than active intervention.

Why it matters

This incident highlights critical failures in the mental health and criminal justice systems, as a person with documented mental health issues and an active arrest warrant was able to approach the White House and open fire. It raises serious questions about White House security protocols and whether adequate measures exist to prevent individuals with known histories of threatening behavior from accessing secure areas. The shooting also underscores ongoing threats to presidential security, occurring just one month after another violent incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC