Panic erupted outside the White House Saturday evening when a gunman who previously claimed to be Jesus Christ, armed with a revolver, opened fire near a security checkpoint before Secret Service officers shot him dead.
The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who authorities said had a history of troubling behavior around the White House complex.
Sources told the New York Post that Best began acting erratically near 17th Street Northwest shortly before the shooting around 6:10 p.m.
Witnesses said he had been pacing back and forth outside the White House grounds before suddenly pulling out a handgun and firing toward a checkpoint.
Federal officers immediately returned fire, killing him at the scene after what sources described as a rapid exchange of gunfire.
At least one bystander was seriously wounded during the shooting, according to sources familiar with the incident.
Authorities have not officially identified a motive, though sources said Best was known to law enforcement and had previous encounters with the Secret Service.
“FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds – we will update the public as we’re able,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.
The gunfire sent reporters and White House staff scrambling for safety.
Secret Service agents quickly locked down the White House complex and directed journalists into the briefing room as officers secured the area. The lockdown was lifted roughly 30 minutes later.
The shooting unfolded less than two hours after President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he was inside the Oval Office working on a peace agreement involving Iran.
Court records show Best had prior run-ins with police connected to the White House area.
He was reportedly involuntarily committed on June 26 after obstructing traffic near 15th Street and E Street Northwest.
Authorities later arrested him again on July 10 for unlawful entry after he allegedly bypassed a restricted White House pedestrian checkpoint.
According to court documents, Best made bizarre statements while being detained.
“[Best] claimed he was Jesus Christ and that he wanted to get arrested,” the records stated.
Officials said it remains unclear whether the shooting was politically motivated.
