The gunman who opened fire at the Secret Service checkpoint near the White House earlier today has been identified as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old from Maryland. He was shot by Secret Service agents and died on the way to the hospital.

The motive behind the attack is not clear yet.

Best was allegedly "mentally troubled" and was known to the US security officials for loitering around many entry posts, the New York Post reported. He violated a previous court order to stay away from the White House, it said.

US President Donald Trump said the gunman, Nasire Best, had a "violent history" and a "possible obsession" with US' most cherished structure - the White House.

"This event is one month removed from the White House Correspondent' 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, DC. The National Security of our Country demands it," he said.

Eyes wide from shock, journalist Selina Wang took a few seconds to compose herself and then duck for cover as shots rang out at a White House security checkpoint on Sunday. She was in the middle of shooting a video inside the premises when the incident was reported.

ABC News' Wang was among the many reporters on the premises at the time of the shooting outside, following which Secret Service shot the suspect. "It sounded like dozens of gunshots," she said on X.

Confused by the commotion, NBC News' Julie Tirskin asked, "What is that?" Her cameraperson kept rolling. Another reporter on the White House North Lawn was talking about prices, when he heard the shots. He removed the audio wire on him and took cover.

The gunman who opened fire near the White House on Saturday afternoon has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Maryland. He was shot by Secret Service agents and died on the way to the hospital.

Best allegedly had multiple prior encounters with the Secret Service and had a history of mental health issues, Fox News reported.

US President Donald Trump was inside the White House when a man opened fire in the area, the US Secret Service said. However, they said that no protectees or operations were impacted.

A person who approached a White House security checkpoint began firing at officers and was later killed by the US Secret Service.

The US Secret Service said that according to a preliminary investigation, the person approached a checkpoint shortly after 6 pm ET, "removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers."

Officers returned fire and hit the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died, according to the Secret Service.

President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the shooting.

Journalists working at the White House reported hearing a series of gunshots and were told to seek shelter inside the press briefing room. Among them was NBC News' Julie Tsirkin.

NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Julie Tsirkin was preparing to report from the White House when multiple shots could be heard being fired nearby. pic.twitter.com/d8POlm5QUF

— NBC10 Boston (@NBC10Boston) May 23, 2026

The gunfire on Saturday comes nearly a month after what law enforcement authorities said was an attempted assassination of President Donald Trump on April 25 as he attended the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at a Washington hotel.

Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, recently pleaded not guilty to charges that he attempted to kill Trump and remains in federal custody.

Trump Event Shooting At Same Hotel Where Ronald Reagan Was Shot 45 Years Agohttps://t.co/2UfCO4wwEb pic.twitter.com/00RRGeGlSO

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 26, 2026

Journalist Selina Wang, working with ABC News, was in the middle of recording a video from inside the White House when shots rang out. She was seen ducking for cover in a video.

I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots. It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now. pic.twitter.com/iqdQwh4soq

— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) May 23, 2026

Evidence of the shooting was visible on a sidewalk just outside the White House complex, where yellow crime scene tape snaked across the pavement and officers with the US Secret Service placed dozens of orange evidence markers on the ground.

Medical material, including what appeared to be purple surgical gloves and kits typically used by emergency medical personnel, were also seen.

The US Secret Service shot a person near the White House on Saturday, and a bystander also was shot, a law enforcement official said.

Both individuals were said to be in critical condition, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.

Later, it was confirmed that the shooter who opened fire at a White House checkpoint died.