The man killed after he opened fire near an external checkpoint of the White House was called Nasir Best and was 21 years old. According to what has been reconstructed, on the evening of May 23, he pulled a gun from a bag and opened fire on the garrison officers. Armed personnel responded immediately. Best was struck, transported to the hospital and later died from his injuries. A bystander was also injured in the shooting.
Gunman who believed he was Jesus Christ opened fire on White House checkpoint, neutralized by Secret Service https://t.co/89znA0VR1V pic.twitter.com/i3ZUljNyih
— New York Post (@nypost) May 24, 2026
Who was Nasir Best
Nasir Best was 21 years old and from Maryland. Sources cited by US broadcasters report that Best was already known to security forces and was also banned from approaching the White House.
From what has emerged, in June 2025 Nasir Best blocked an access lane to the White House. After claiming “to be God” he was stopped by the Secret Service and hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation. In July 2025, the Secret Service arrested Best again after he attempted to enter a driveway at the White House complex. A judge issued an order requiring him to stay away from the White House.
On social media he allegedly wrote that he was “the real” Osama bin Laden and also wrote that he wanted to harm Trump.