Television reporter Julie Tsirkin has been branded a 'diva' online after her calm reaction to a shooting near the White House went viral. The NBC journalist was preparing to film a segment when shots rang out, and she turned to her cameraman with visible confusion, asking, 'What is that?'
Incident Details
The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. local time on Saturday when a suspect approached a White House security checkpoint, pulled a weapon from his bag, and opened fire on officers. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that officers returned fire, striking the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who later died at a hospital. A bystander was also struck and remains in critical condition; it is unclear whether the injuries were from the suspect's initial shots or from officers' return fire.
Reporter's Account
In an interview after the incident, Tsirkin explained: 'My cameraman, John, and I heard what sounded like 20 to 30 gunshots. We looked at each other and said, 'What is that?' I ended up running after that. I saw a Secret Service agent come out of a security booth, gun drawn, telling all of us to run inside the press briefing room.'
Online Reaction
Social media users praised Tsirkin for her poise under pressure, with one user affectionately calling her a 'diva' for keeping her cool. The clip of her reaction has been widely shared.
Official Statements
The Secret Service stated that no officers were injured, and President Donald Trump, who was inside the White House at the time, was not impacted. Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their 'swift and professional action' on his Truth Social platform, adding that the suspect had a 'violent history.'
Other Journalists' Experiences
Other White House correspondents also reported hearing gunfire. Selina Wang, ABC News' senior White House correspondent, shared dramatic video on X of herself ducking for cover after hearing what she described as 'sounded like dozens of gunshots.' She had been filming a cellphone video for a social media post about Trump's earlier statements on a potential Iran deal when the shooting began.
Context and Previous Incidents
The shooting occurred near the same area where a gunman ambushed two members of the West Virginia National Guard in November. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her wounds, and Andrew Wolfe, then 24, was critically wounded. Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged in that incident.
