A man killed in a shooting outside the White House had previously attempted to gain entry to the complex and had documented mental health concerns, according to court records.
Nasire Best, a 21-year-old who was shot and killed by agents outside the White House on May 23, had prior encounters with the Secret Service, including an incident in which he was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital and another in which local police arrested him after he claimed he was “Jesus Christ,” CNN reported, citing records.
Social media accounts linked to Best also included posts that appeared to threaten violence against President Trump, as well as statements in which he referred to himself as “the son of God.”
According to the Secret Service, agents shot Best after he approached a security checkpoint outside the White House and opened fire on officers. A bystander was also injured during the exchange of gunfire. President Trump was inside the White House at the time and was unharmed.
Advertisement
Court documents state that Best had been encountered multiple times near the White House in the months leading up to the incident. He was reportedly “known to the Secret Service” for repeatedly approaching the complex and asking how to gain access at various entry points.
He was involuntarily committed on June 26, 2025, after “obstructing vehicle entry” near the White House complex, according to the records, it reported.
On July 10, 2025, Best allegedly entered a restricted area outside the White House despite warning signs. When confronted by officers, he claimed to be Jesus and said he “wanted to get arrested,” according to the affidavit.
Expressing gratitude to the Secret Service, President Trump in his social media post said “Thank you to our great Secret Service and Law Enforcement for the swift and professional action taken this evening against a gunman near the White House, who had a violent history and possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure.”
