Gunman shot dead by Secret Service agents near White House: What we know

A man shot at Secret Service officers at a checkpoint near the White House at about 6pm on Saturday. The suspect pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing at officers posted at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. Secret Service officers returned fire and the gunman was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No Secret Service officers were wounded, but a bystander was injured. The White House was placed under lockdown while President Donald Trump was inside, and no protectees or operations were impacted. Media reports identified the suspect as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old from Maryland with known mental health issues and prior attempts to approach the White House, including violations of a stay-away order and prior detentions for psychiatric evaluation.

"Shortly after 6pm (22:00 GMT) on Saturday, the suspect approached a Secret Service checkpoint at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, pulled a weapon from his bag and began shooting at officers posted there, the Secret Service said in a statement. The gunman was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. No Secret Service officers were wounded. President Donald Trump was in the White House during the incident but no protectees or operations were impacted, the Secret Service said. The White House was immediately placed under lockdown."

"Several US media outlets have identified the gunman as Nasire Best, a 21-year-old man from the neighbouring state of Maryland who was known to the Secret Service and had a documented history of mental health conditions. The Reuters news agency said he had violated a stay-away order and had been identified as an emotionally disturbed person. CNN reported that Best blocked an entry lane to the White House in June last year and was detained by the Secret Service."

"He claimed to be Jesus and said he wanted to be arrested. He was sent to the Psychiatric Institute of Washington for a mental evaluation. According to CBS News, Best again tried to gain access to the White House in July and was arrested nearby by Secret Service agents. Once again, he was sent to a psychiatric ward. Best had been living in Washington, DC, for about 18 months, CBS said."

"CNN said social media accounts linked to Best included one post that appeared to threaten violence against Trump and another in which he wrot"

Read at www.aljazeera.com