By Atinuke Alao
Authorities in the United States of America have confirmed the death of a 21 year-old, Nasire Best, who reportedly engaged in a shooting spree near the White House on Saturday evening.
Best was shot dead while President Donald Trump was in the White House working to negotiate a deal with Iran.
US Secret Service Communications Chief, Anthony Guglielmi, who confirmed the incident in a statement issued, clarified that the shooting did not affect Trump.
An unidentified man was also struck when Secret Service agents killed the assailant in a shoot-out.
The confrontation took place just after 6:00 pm (2200 GMT) when a man near the White House security perimeter “pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing.”
Trump also confirmed the shooting on his Truth Social on Sunday.
He wrote, “Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure.”
“Secret Service Police returned fire striking the suspect who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. During the shooting, one bystander was also struck by gunfire. No Secret Service officers were hurt,” Guglielmi said, without giving details on the condition of the unidentified man, who was struck.
Multiple US media identified the suspect as Nasire Best, 21, of Maryland, reporting that Best had a history of mental health concerns and had multiple prior interactions with Secret Service members.
Police and security forces swarmed the scene, cordoning off access as National Guard troops blocked an AFP reporter from entering the area in downtown Washington.
“We heard probably 20 to 25 what sounded like fireworks, but they’re gunshots, and then everyone started running,” Canadian tourist Reid Adrian told AFP.
Journalists who were on the White House North Lawn at the time said they were ordered to run and shelter in the press briefing room.
ABC News correspondent, Selina Wang, had been recording a video for social media when the gunfire broke out, capturing the sounds of the shots as she dove to the ground.
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