White House shooter identified as 21-year-old Maryland man who believed he was Jesus Christ

WASHINGTON, DC: A gunman who opened fire outside the White House on Saturday, May 23, has been identified as 21-year-old Maryland resident Nasire Best, a man with a reported history of mental illness and previous stay-away orders.

Authorities said Best allegedly believed he was the modern-day incarnation of Jesus Christ before the shooting near a Secret Service checkpoint outside the White House complex. The incident triggered a massive law enforcement response while President Donald Trump was inside the White House.

Nasire Best opens fire near White House checkpoint

Nasire Best was seen pacing in a strange manner up and down 17th Street Northwest before approaching the Secret Service checkpoint on Pennsylvania Avenue NW and opening fire at officers.

The suspect suddenly pulled a firearm from a bag and opened fire after officers ordered him to stand down, prompting federal agents to return fire in a barrage of gunshots that left him dead.

Best was later described as "down" and was transported to George Washington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

At least one bystander was also hit and severely wounded in the exchange of fire, officials said. However, it remains unclear who fired the round that injured the individual. Their condition was not immediately available.

President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the shooting but was not impacted, according to the Secret Service, which also confirmed that no agents were injured during the incident.

Nasire Best had previous run-ins with Secret Service

The Secret Service, along with the FBI, has launched a joint investigation into the shooting as authorities continue working to determine a motive behind the attack.

However, sources told the New York Post that Best was known to the Secret Service and had violated a previous court order to stay away from the White House.

Best was described as a mentally disturbed individual who allegedly believed he was the modern-day incarnation of Jesus Christ.

He was detained by the Secret Service on June 26, 2025, for flagging down agents and making threats, and again on July 10, 2025, for entering a restricted area, Fox News reported.

White House gunfire forces reporters to take cover

Reporters who were rushed into the Briefing Room as gunfire erupted estimated that between 20 and 30 shots were fired during the tense standoff, which ultimately ended with Best being shot.

"We have seen shootings in the vicinity of the White House before, well beyond the grounds of the White House campus that normally sends the White House itself into lockdown,” said Sky News Australia White House correspondent Jonathan Kearsley.

Selina Wang, ABC News’ chief White House correspondent, posted dramatic footage on X showing the moment apparent gunshots rang out near the White House, forcing her to immediately duck for cover.

“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. It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,” she posted.

Recent shootings raise security concerns near White House

This is the latest event in a series of gunfire incidents near the White House.

Nearly a month ago, a lone gunman reportedly opened fire near the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where Trump was in attendance.

A little more than a week later, Secret Service officers shot a suspect authorities said had fired at officers near the Washington Monument, also near the White House. Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, was charged in a complaint filed in US District Court in connection with the May 4 shooting.