A 21-year-old man who told authorities he was Jesus Christ opened fire at a White House checkpoint Saturday evening before being fatally shot by Secret Service agents.
Nasire Best fired multiple rounds at a security checkpoint near 17th Street Northwest at approximately 6:10 p.m., according to sources. He had been observed pacing erratically in the area beforehand and was quickly engaged by federal officers, who returned fire in a volley of shots that killed him.
At least one bystander sustained serious injuries during the exchange of gunfire, sources said. Best had no confirmed motive for the attack, though authorities described him as a mentally troubled individual with a history of loitering near White House entry points.
Prior Encounters With Authorities
Best had repeated previous contacts with law enforcement and the Secret Service. On June 26, he was involuntarily committed after obstructing vehicular traffic at 15th Street and E Street Northwest, according to records.
On July 10, Best was arrested for unlawful entry after bypassing a restricted White House pedestrian control post by walking through an exit turnstile lane, sources said. During that detention, “he claimed he was Jesus Christ and that he wanted to get arrested,” according to court documents.
A standing court order had previously prohibited Best from entering White House grounds, which he violated before Saturday’s shooting.
Press on Scene During Gunfire
Reporters working on the White House North Lawn scrambled for cover when shots erupted. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots,” Selina Wang, a senior ABC White House correspondent, said. “We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
The Secret Service immediately secured the complex and directed journalists to gather on the north lawn and move into the press briefing room. The lockdown lasted approximately 30 minutes before being lifted.
Official Response
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X that the FBI was on scene supporting the Secret Service response. “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,” Patel posted.
House Speaker Mike Johnson thanked the “brave Secret Service agents who took quick, decisive action to protect President Trump, and our prayers are with victims of tonight’s senseless shooting for a speedy recovery.”
Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, stated that “there is no place in America for political violence, and every leader should be condemning it unequivocally.” Rep. Betty Collin, a Democrat from Minnesota, similarly condemned the shooting and called for unity.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
