White House shooting live: Gun-wielding suspect killed by Secret Service as shots fired toward executive mansion

Two people were wounded, including a suspect, in a shooting near the White House Saturday evening. The incident began when reporters heard what sounded like possible gunfire near the North Lawn, prompting the U.S. Secret Service to move members of the media indoors.

Approximately 20 shots were heard just after 6 p.m. Eastern Time, appearing to originate from the side of the White House complex that contains the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, multiple local and national reporters who were at the White House at the time said.

U.S. Secret Service personnel immediately responded by ushering them inside.

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, said in a statement to CBS News that the agency was investigating “reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW” and was working to corroborate the initial details with personnel on the ground.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the bureau’s involvement in a social media post, stating that the FBI was on the scene and actively supporting the Secret Service.

Sen. Rick Scott praises Secret Service response

Republican Florida Sen. Rick Scott has praised the Secret Service response to Saturday’s shooting.

Scott posted on X that he was thankful that President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and White House staff were safe.

“THANK YOU to the heroic Secret Service agents who acted quickly and decisively to neutralize the threat,” Scott wrote.

He called it “yet another attempt on the president’s life” and said the violence “needs to stop.”

Graeme Massie24 May 2026 03:31

Latest images after shooting near White House

Graeme Massie24 May 2026 02:40

Senate Majority Leader John Thune praises Secret Service response

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., praised the U.S. Secret Service for its quick response.

“Grateful for the Secret Service and the agents’ decisive actions to protect President Trump and everyone at and around the White House this evening,” Thune said in a statement on X. “Kimberley and I are praying for the safety and security of those who were in harm’s way.”

Jasmine Fernández24 May 2026 02:20

Suspect identified as 21-year-old Maryland resident

The suspect accused of opening fire near the White House on Saturday has been identified by law enforcement as Nasire Best, 21, of Maryland, multiple sources confirmed to Fox News Digital.

According to sources, Best died while in transit to GW Medical Center after being shot by U.S. Secret Service agents. Officials added that the suspect had prior encounters with the Secret Service alongside a known history of mental health issues.

Jasmine Fernández24 May 2026 02:09

Trump briefed on White House shooting as Iran peace talks continue

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting that occurred outside the White House complex, a White House official told CBS News. The Secret Service previously confirmed that Trump was inside the executive mansion at the time of the incident but was unaffected.

The briefing comes during a busy weekend for the administration, as the president and his team continue working to negotiate a peace deal aimed at ending the war with Iran.

Jasmine Fernández24 May 2026 02:07

House Speaker Mike Johnson commends Secret Service response

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., commended the federal response to the active shooter near the White House Saturday evening. Johnson praised the law enforcement officers on duty for their quick action to ensure the safety of the president.

“We are grateful for our brave Secret Service agents who took quick, decisive action to protect President Trump, and our prayers are with the victims of tonight’s senseless shooting for a speedy recovery,” Johnson wrote on X.

He added that law enforcement officers “deserve our unwavering support” for running into harm’s way daily.

Jasmine Fernández24 May 2026 01:54

Trump continues working inside White House following nearby shooting

President Donald Trump remains inside the executive mansion and continues to work following the shooting incident outside the complex, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said Saturday.

“President Trump is working at 8:00 PM,” Cheung wrote in a post on X. “Can't stop, won't stop.”

Jasmine Fernández24 May 2026 01:51

Suspect had history of mental health issues, officials say

The male suspect who died after opening fire near the White House Saturday had a history of mental health issues, officials told Fox News. The suspect approached a Secret Service checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, drew a weapon from his bag and shot at officers before being fatally struck by return fire.

A bystander was also wounded during the exchange, though their condition is unknown and it remains unclear who fired the shot that hit them.

Jasmine Fernández24 May 2026 01:21

Secret Service confirms suspect dead, bystander struck in official statement

The U.S. Secret Service released an official statement Saturday evening providing a preliminary timeline of the shooting. The full statement, by a Secret Service spokesperson, is included below:

“Shortly after 6:00 p.m. Saturday, an individual approached a Secret Service checkpoint in the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. A preliminary investigation indicates that as the individual approached, he removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers.

Secret Service police officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. During the shooting, a bystander was also struck by gunfire. It remains unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect’s initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire.

No injuries were sustained by Secret Service personnel. The President was at the White House during the incident but was not impacted.

The incident remains under investigation.”

Jasmine Fernández24 May 2026 01:12

Suspect opened fire on Secret Service security booth, sources say

A suspect began shooting Saturday evening at a security booth outside the White House where U.S. Secret Service officers were on guard inside, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. Somewhere between 10 and 20 shots were fired during the initial encounter.

Secret Service officers returned gunfire, wounding the suspect, according to the sources. None of the Secret Service officers on duty are believed to have been struck by the gunfire.

Jasmine Fernández24 May 2026 00:59NewerOlder

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments