Gunman who believed he was Jesus Christ opened fire on White House checkpoint, neutralized by Secret Service…
A 21-year-old man opened fire at a White House checkpoint Saturday evening before being fatally shot by Secret Service agents in what authorities say was carried out by someone with a history of mental health issues.
Nasire Best fired several shots at approximately 6:10 p.m. near a security checkpoint on 17th Street Northwest after being observed pacing erratically in the area, according to law enforcement sources. At least one bystander sustained serious injuries during the exchange of gunfire.
Best discharged his revolver at the checkpoint before Secret Service Uniformed Division members responded with lethal force, bringing the incident to a rapid conclusion. The shooting prompted an immediate lockdown of White House grounds and forced journalists working on the North Lawn to seek shelter in the press briefing room.
“I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots,” Selina Wang, a senior ABC White House correspondent, said. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots.” The lockdown lasted approximately 30 minutes before being lifted.
The incident occurred less than two hours after President Trump announced he was working on a peace deal with Iran from the Oval Office.
Best had previous encounters with law enforcement related to the White House. On June 26, he was involuntarily committed after obstructing vehicular traffic near 15th and E Streets NW, and was arrested again on July 10 for unlawful entry after bypassing a restricted pedestrian control post. During the July arrest, court records indicated that Best “claimed he was Jesus Christ and that he wanted to get arrested.”
Secret Service sources said Best was well-known to the agency for repeatedly loitering near various entry points and had violated a previous court order to remain away from the White House.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that the FBI was on scene supporting Secret Service efforts. “We will update the public as we’re able,” Patel stated. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed gratitude for 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 stated, “There is no place in America for political violence, and every leader should be condemning it unequivocally.” Rep. Betty Colón emphasized the need to “unite behind a common belief that our differences should be resolved at the ballot box.”
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.