A man who approached a security checkpoint near the White House and opened fire, claiming to be Jesus Christ, was shot dead by officers, according to reports. The incident occurred on Saturday night, where Nasire Best, a 21-year-old from Maryland, pulled out a revolver and started shooting at security officers.
Best was quickly engaged by law enforcement after he began firing at the officers. He was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. During the incident, a bystander was also wounded, though it was unclear if the injury was caused by the gunman or law enforcement.
Following the incident, President Donald Trump, who was present at the White House but unharmed, commended law enforcement and the Secret Service for their rapid response. The White House was placed on lockdown for an hour as a precautionary measure.
Authorities revealed that Best had a history of troubling behavior and had been previously detained for incidents near the White House. He was known for loitering around official checkpoints, and his recent actions raised concerns about his mental state.
Best had been involved in prior altercations with law enforcement, including an incident in June 2025 when he disrupted traffic near the White House and was subsequently admitted to a psychiatric hospital. On another occasion, he was arrested for unlawfully entering a restricted area.
Reports indicated that Best had exhibited erratic behavior, claiming to be Jesus Christ and expressing a desire to be arrested. He also made concerning statements on social media, including perceived threats towards President Trump.
Journalists present at the White House during the shooting were instructed to seek shelter as gunshots rang out. Footage shared by ABC News correspondent Selina Wang captured the tense moments as shots were fired near the press briefing room.
The incident stirred memories of a previous attack near the White House, where two members of the West Virginia National Guard were ambushed, resulting in one fatality and severe injuries to another individual.
