A man who approached a security checkpoint near the White House and then opened fire, believing himself to be Jesus Christ, was shot dead by officers. The incident occurred on Saturday night, with the suspected gunman identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Maryland. The US Secret Service reported that the man pulled out a weapon from his bag and began shooting at officers stationed there. He was subsequently shot by returning fire and later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.

During the incident, a bystander was also injured, though it was not immediately clear if they were hit by the gunman’s bullets or by the officers. President Donald Trump, who was present at the White House but unharmed, praised the swift and professional response of law enforcement and the Secret Service following the attack.

Following the gunshots, the White House was placed on lockdown for an hour as a precaution. Best, described as troubled and known to loiter around official checkpoints, had a history of encounters with law enforcement. He had been previously arrested for disrupting traffic near the White House and later committed to a psychiatric hospital. Best had also been detained for unlawful entry after attempting to pass through a restricted pedestrian control post.

Reports indicated that Best had made statements claiming to be Jesus Christ and had displayed concerning behavior. Journalists present during the incident were instructed to seek shelter, with one reporter sharing a video capturing the tense moments of gunshots being fired. The incident occurred in close proximity to a prior attack on members of the West Virginia National Guard, resulting in one fatality and a severe injury.