The United States Secret Service shot down a man on Saturday afternoon who opened fire on the White House shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time. President Donald Trump, who usually spends weekends away, was, however, on the premises after canceling his plans and even refusing to attend his son's wedding to try to finally resolve the Peace negotiation with Iran. But he was never at risk at any time.
A man approached one of the security checkpoints and, without saying a word, fired several shots. The agents immediately responded by shooting him down. The suspect died in the shootout, and another person, likely someone who was just passing by and got caught in the crossfire, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The young man shot dead by the Secret Service was 21 years old, had been previously arrested in the area, and had mental health issues, according to U.S. media. The man, identified as Nasire Best, had been previously arrested at the White House entrances, according to various court records, and had been taken to a psychiatric center in June of last year after being involved in another incident in the White House area, where he claimed to be Jesus Christ, CNN reported.
Several live videos recorded by journalists working in the White House gardens at that time clearly captured an exchange of gunfire, with 20-30 shots fired in a few seconds near the entrance on 17th Street. Almost immediately, dozens of agents deployed, closing all access points and escorting journalists to the press room.
According to the Secret Service itself, the events unfolded as follows: "Shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, the 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 pulled out a weapon from his backpack and began firing at the stationed agents. They responded to the gunfire, injuring the suspect, who was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. During the shootout, a passerby was also hit by gunfire. It is unclear whether the passerby was hit by the suspect's initial shots or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire. There were no injuries among Secret Service personnel. The President was at the White House during the incident but was not affected. The incident remains under investigation."
"Thanks to our fantastic Secret Service agents and law enforcement for their quick and professional intervention tonight against an armed man near the White House, who had a violent history and seemed obsessed with our country's most precious building," Trump wrote on his Truth Social social media platform hours after the attack.