In a frightening incident, a journalist reacted quickly to gunfire as a gunman opened fire near the White House. The attacker, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, engaged in a shootout with officers at a security checkpoint before being fatally wounded by law enforcement. President Donald Trump mentioned the suspect’s history of violence in a statement.
During the chaos, ABC News correspondent Selina Wang was on the scene and captured the moment the attack began. She described hearing what sounded like multiple gunshots and swiftly sought cover in a media tent located on the White House grounds.
Following the incident, the White House was placed on lockdown for an hour, with journalists present witnessing the Secret Service’s response from inside the building. One bystander sustained critical injuries during the shooting, and it remains unclear if the wounds were from the gunman or law enforcement.
Despite the tense situation, no Secret Service officers were harmed, and President Trump, who was on-site at the time, remained unharmed. Best had a troubled past, having been previously arrested for disruptive behavior near the White House, including making erratic comments to officers and posting concerning messages on social media.
The 21-year-old had a history of encounters with law enforcement, including a prior incident in which he disrupted traffic near the White House and was subsequently committed to a psychiatric facility. In a separate incident, Best was arrested for unlawfully entering a restricted area near the White House and making alarming statements to authorities. His erratic behavior and concerning online posts raised red flags prior to the tragic event.