In a recent incident at the White House, a shooting suspect reportedly claimed to be Jesus Christ during a prior police encounter, months before a fatal confrontation with the Secret Service. According to CNN, the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, was known to have a history of mental health issues. Best had previously been arrested after reportedly declaring himself “Jesus Christ” and was once involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric facility for obstructing a vehicle entry near the White House in July 2025.
In a social media post, Best allegedly claimed, “I’m actually the son of God.” Reports further suggest that Best had made threats against President Donald Trump and had multiple interactions with law enforcement around the White House.
In 2025, an affidavit noted that Best was known to the Secret Service for frequently walking around the White House, asking how to access various entry points, as reported by CNN. Us Weekly has reached out to the Secret Service for a statement.
On a Saturday evening around 6 p.m. ET, gunfire erupted near a Secret Service checkpoint outside the White House. A bystander was caught in the crossfire and critically injured, though no Secret Service agents were harmed.
Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi shared with Us that shortly after 6 p.m., an individual near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue pulled out a weapon and started firing. Secret Service Police responded, shooting the suspect, who was then taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. During this incident, a bystander was also hit by gunfire.
Emergency and police vehicles are seen near the White House after a shooting. Getty Images/Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP
Guglielmi added that no officers were injured and that President Trump was in the White House during the incident without any impact on protectees or operations. The investigation remains ongoing, with more information to be provided as it becomes available.
During the shooting, several reporters at the White House were quickly moved from the Pebble Beach media location to the briefing room and instructed to shelter in place for about 40 minutes.
“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,” ABC News White House correspondent Selina Wang tweeted at the time. “It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now.”
Mentalist Oz Pearlman was performing for President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and press secretary Karoline Leavitt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 24, when he realized something was very wrong. “I was performing right then for the president, the press secretary and the first lady,” the magician said during a […]
Less than a month prior, another shooting incident occurred at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, attended by President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. The Trumps and other officials were evacuated as the situation unfolded.
In this earlier incident, a Secret Service agent was hit in his protective vest and hospitalized. Cole Tomas Allen, the shooting suspect, was subsequently arrested and charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting weapons across state lines, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. He pleaded not guilty earlier this month.
