Suspect dead following shooting near White House
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - A volley of shots fired near the White House sent reporters scrambling into the White House Press Room and was locked down.
Two people were shot, including the alleged gunman who NBC News was told has died.
The man, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, approached the U.S. Secret Service checkpoint at the White House at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and, according to officials, began firing at the checkpoint with a gun he pulled from a bag.
Officers returned fire and shot Best, with officials telling NBC News the suspect has died.
A second person, believed to be bystander, was also shot, although it's not clear who fired the round that hit the person, who is in critical condition.
At the same time, NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin was standing on the lawn when she and her cameraman heard the commotion, not knowing exactly was the sound was at first.
However, Secret Service agents came out with guns drawn and began yelling for everyone to run inside the Press Briefing Room, leading to the White House and grounds being locked down.
Three officials say Best was known to D.C. Police as well as the Secret Service, and had a documented history with law enforcement and a history of mental health concerns.
President Donald Trump is in town, and has been at the White House working in the Oval Office all afternoon.
President Trump took to social media, thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement for "swift and professional action taken" against Best, and said this shooting "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," likely referring to the White House ballroom project.
The lockdown was lifted after about an hour when the Secret Service was able to clear the scene.
An investigation is underway.
This comes a month after a shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner where an alleged would-be assassin was taken down by Secret Service.
