A gunman who reportedly believed he was Jesus Christ was shot and killed by Secret Service agents after opening fire outside the White House on Saturday evening. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, approached a security checkpoint near the 17th Street side of the White House complex shortly after 6 p.m. local time and began firing a revolver at posted Secret Service officers. The agents returned fire, striking Best, who was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Authorities confirmed that President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time, reportedly meeting with aides, including his communications director, Steven Cheung. The White House was placed on lockdown during the incident, and journalists present on the North Lawn were quickly ushered to safety, with some reporting as many as 30 shots fired. ABC correspondent Selena Wang, who was live on air, described the sudden gunfire and the rush to the press briefing room for shelter.

Best was known to law enforcement and the Secret Service, having been involved in previous incidents near the White House. Court records indicate that in July of the previous year he was arrested for unlawful entry after bypassing a restricted pedestrian access point and had claimed to be Jesus Christ, stating he wanted to be arrested. Reports also mention a history of mental health issues and prior bans on loitering around the White House.

A bystander was also struck during the exchange of gunfire and was hospitalized in critical condition. Officials have not clarified whether the injury occurred from shots fired by Best or the responding officers.

President Trump later commented on the situation via social media, thanking the Secret Service and other law enforcement personnel for their rapid and professional response. He referred to the gunman as having a "violent history and possible obsession" with the White House. The president had canceled weekend plans, including attendance at his son Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding, citing "circumstances pertaining to government."

This shooting is the latest in a series of security incidents involving the president. Since 2024, there have been multiple assassination attempts targeting Mr. Trump, including an armed intruder at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April and an attack during a Pennsylvania campaign rally where the president was injured. Another suspect with a rifle was apprehended on one of Trump’s Florida golf courses later that year and received a life sentence.

The Secret Service continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Saturday’s attack, and no agents were reported injured during the incident.