A White House checkpoint shooting near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC, left a gunman dead and briefly placed the White House grounds on lockdown on Saturday, May 23, 2026, officials said.

The U.S. Secret Service said the incident began shortly after 6:00 PM EDT when a male suspect approached a security checkpoint, pulled a weapon from a bag and opened fire on officers. Secret Service officers returned fire, struck the suspect and took him to a hospital, where he later died.

White House Lockdown Lifted After Security Response

The gunfire prompted a temporary lockdown of the White House grounds. Officials said President Donald Trump was at the White House during the incident and was not injured. No Secret Service personnel were hurt.

The lockdown was lifted at 6:46 PM EDT, after officers secured the area.

Bystander Wounded Near White House Checkpoint

A bystander was also shot during the exchange of gunfire, according to the Secret Service. Officials did not immediately say whether the bystander was struck by the suspect’s gunfire or by a round fired during the law enforcement response.

The person’s condition was not immediately released in the initial report. The Secret Service said the shooting remains under investigation, with assistance from the FBI, ATF and Metropolitan Police.

Suspect Had Prior White House-Related Encounters

Senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter identified the suspect as 21-year-old Best. Court records cited in media reports said he had previous encounters with law enforcement near White House access points, including an unlawful-entry arrest after entering a restricted area.

Officials also said he had previously been known to the Secret Service for activity around White House entry posts.

The shooting adds renewed attention to security around the White House complex, especially at public-facing checkpoint areas near Pennsylvania Avenue, where pedestrian access and federal security measures intersect.