Nasire Best
White House security checkpoint, 17th Street & Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC ·
Approach to the White House security checkpoint while President Trump was inside the residence
Latest update Al Jazeera
Gunman shot dead by Secret Service agents near White House: what we know Target
White House perimeter (Donald J. Trump present inside)
Perpetrator
Full name Nasire Best
Age at time 21
Date of birth Not publicly reported
Gender Male
Race / ethnicity Not publicly reported
Nationality American
Residence Maryland
Education Not publicly documented
Occupation Not publicly documented
Political affiliation Not publicly documented
Mental health (reported) Significant deterioration in the year prior: had cut off contact with closest friends and began claiming to be Jesus Christ; two prior Secret Service encounters (Jun 26, 2025 - threats; Jul 10, 2025 - entered a restricted area)
Prior criminal record Yes
Online footprint Not publicly documented
Family background Estranged from friends; Trump publicly remarked Best had a 'possible obsession' with the White House
Attempt & outcome
Weapons & equipment Pistol drawn from a handbag
Rounds fired - perpetrator 3
Rounds fired - law enforcement -
Distance to target -
Trump present Yes
Trump injured No
Bystander casualties 0 killed · 1 injured
Law-enforcement casualties 0 killed · 0 injured
Current status Killed on scene
Sentence -
Preparation Arrived at the security checkpoint at ~18:00 carrying a handbag; pulled a pistol and opened fire on the checkpoint
Motive
Not publicly determined. Best had prior Secret Service contacts in 2025 involving threats and a restricted-area incursion; family and friends reported a serious mental-health deterioration leading up to the incident.
Key facts
- Approximately three rounds fired at the checkpoint before return fire neutralized him
- An adult civilian bystander was wounded; one Secret Service agent was hospitalised as a precaution
- Triggered a brief White House lockdown
- Two prior 2025 Secret Service detainments - one for threats, one for entering a restricted area
- Reportedly told officers in the past that he was Jesus Christ