Shot dead at the gate: Who was Nasire Best, 21-year-old who said he was Jesus Christ and opened fire outside the White House

On May 23, 2026, a 21-year-old man named Nasire Best opened fire at a security booth just outside the White House complex in Washington, DC, before being fatally shot by the United States Secret Service.

The shooting occurred outside the White House at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. According to a Secret Service spokesperson, the suspect approached a checkpoint, took out a weapon from a bag, and began firing at the officers stationed there.

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Somewhere between approximately 15 to 30 gunshots were fired, according to law enforcement sources. Secret Service agents returned fire and wounded Best. He died on the way to GW Medical Center.

Who was Nasire Best?

Multiple sources confirmed that the suspect was Nasire Best, 21, of Maryland. His social media accounts included one post that appeared to threaten violence against President Trump and another where he wrote that he was the son of God.

Six senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter identified Best as the suspect. Best had a documented history with local law enforcement, and five senior law enforcement officials said he has a history of mental health concerns.

Best was not an unknown figure to federal authorities. Agents previously detained him near the White House on June 26, 2025, after he approached officers and made threats, and again on July 10, 2025, for entering a restricted area at the complex.

Best was placed under arrest on a charge of unlawful entry on July 10 after he walked into a restricted area near the White House, according to a court document filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.

Court records cited by the New York Post stated that during the July encounter, Best claimed he was Jesus Christ. He also said that he wanted to get arrested. Following that incident, he was sent to a psychiatric ward for mental health treatment.

Officials confirmed Best was previously known to both the Metropolitan Police Department and the Secret Service.

The lockdown

Multiple CBS News reporters who were on the White House North Lawn said they heard what sounded like gunfire. This happened around 6 pm. ET before US Secret Service ushered them inside. A White House lockdown was lifted just before 7 pm

ABC News correspondent Selina Wang reported that she was in the middle of taping from the White House North Lawn when she heard what sounded like dozens of gunshots. Reporters on the north lawn sprinted to the briefing room.

Bystander struck, agents safe

A bystander was also struck during the exchange of gunfire and remains in critical condition. One US Secret Service agent was taken to the hospital as a precaution. None of the agents were believed to have been struck by gunfire.

President Donald Trump was unharmed inside the White House, and the gunman never breached the grounds’ general perimeter.

The FBI, ATF, and Metropolitan Police Department are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson responded to the incident. Johnson commended the federal response and said the country is grateful for the brave Secret Service agents who took quick, decisive action to protect President Trump, and offered prayers for the victims of the shooting for a speedy recovery.

The identity and condition of the injured bystander have not been publicly released. The investigation into Best’s motive is ongoing.