On May 23, 2026, a gunman opened fire near the White House, resulting in a shootout with Secret Service agents who killed the assailant. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. while President Donald Trump was negotiating a deal with Iran inside the White House. The suspect, identified as Nasire Best, 21, from Maryland, had a history of mental health issues and previous encounters with the Secret Service. During the confrontation, a bystander was critically injured, with reports indicating that between 20 to 25 gunshots were fired. Witnesses described the chaos, with tourists and journalists seeking shelter as the situation unfolded. Following the incident, Trump expressed gratitude to the Secret Service for their quick response, emphasizing the need to address political violence. This shooting adds to a troubling pattern of threats against Trump, including an attempted assassination earlier in April 2026. The area was cordoned off by police and security forces as investigations commenced.