NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin faced backlash after her hesitant reaction to gunfire near the White House on Saturday night. The event in Washington DC left one gunman dead and another person injured.

The fatal exchange between Secret Service and Nasire Best

The White House was placed on lockdown Saturday night following a violent encounter at a Secret Service checkpoint. According to the report, 21-year-old Nasire Best was killed by agents after he exchanged gunfire with them. While President Donald Trump was inside the building during the chaos, he remained unharmed throughout the incident.

Julie Tsirkin's 'What is that?' mmoent

The reaction of 28-year-old NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Julie Tsirkin has become a point of contention online. As bullets rang out, Tsirkin appeared confused on camera, asking "What is that?" and briefly moving toward the sound after a man suggested it was fireworks. The report says Tsirkin later joked about the viral nature of her response using memes after the danger had passed.

Comparing the responses of Julie Tsirkin and Selena Wang

The contrast in professional instincts during the shooting has drawn scrutiny from viewers. While Tsirkin remained momentarily stationary, ABC White House Correspondent Selena Wang reacted with immediate alarm and fled the scene. This divergence in behavior highlights the unpredictable nature of live reporting during active shooter events, where the instinct to gather information can clash with basic survival protocols.

A stray bullet and the stability of the injured woman

Beyond the death of the gunman, the shooting resulted in a civilian casualty. An unnamed woman was struck by a stray bullet during the confrontation near the White House lawn . As reported by the source, the victim is currently in stable condition and is undergoing surgery to treat her injuries.

The missing details on the Secret Service checkpoint breach

Several critical questions remain regarding how Nasire Best managed to engage in a firefight at a secure Secret Service checkpoint. The source does not specify the gunman's motive or how he obtained the weapon used in the attack. Furthermore,it remains unclear if there were any security lapses that allowed the assailant to get close enuogh to the White House lawn to endanger press members and civilians.