WASHINGTON — U.S. Army Private First Class Benjamin Del Real was wounded during an exchange of gunfire near the White House on May 23. Nasire Best, 21, approached a Secret Service checkpoint at approximately 6 p.m. at Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street NW and began shooting.

Best pulled a firearm from a bag before opening fire on officers. Secret Service officers returned fire and killed Best. No Secret Service officers were injured during the incident. President Donald Trump was at the White House at the time of the shooting, and he was not injured.

Del Real, 25, is an active-duty U.S. Army soldier who has served for three years. He underwent surgery for his wounds and is recovering while receiving therapy at an undisclosed location. Joseph T. Murphy, an attorney representing Del Real, said. "At this time, we are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and gathering all available facts. We will continue to work with the appropriate authorities to determine exactly what occurred and to ensure a full and accurate understanding of the events that led to our client’s severe injuries."

Ballistics results were not yet available to determine who shot Del Real, according to interim police chief Jeffery Carroll. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Secret Service declined to comment on reports regarding who shot the bystander. Carroll also said Del Real was visiting the city as a tourist. The MPD's Internal Affairs is investigating the shooting and will provide its findings to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Court filings indicate Best was known to the Secret Service for inquiring about access at various White House entry posts. He was arrested in July 2025 after attempting to enter a different White House checkpoint without authorization and ignoring commands to stop. During that arrest, Best claimed he was Jesus Christ and stated he wanted to be arrested, court records show. Court filings also indicate Best was involuntarily committed in June for obstructing vehicle entry to the White House complex. Weeks before the May 23 incident, a 15-year-old bystander was grazed by a bullet near the Washington Monument following an altercation involving an armed man and the Secret Service.