The man who opened fire near the White House security perimeter on Saturday evening has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best from Maryland, according to multiple US media reports.Best was shot and killed by Secret Service officers after he approached a checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, removed a firearm from his bag and began shooting. A bystander was also injured in the exchange of gunfire. President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time but was unharmed.
Who was Nasire Best?
Best, a 21-year-old Maryland resident, had a documented history of mental health issues and was reportedly known to the Secret Service due to multiple previous encounters with federal security personnel, according to court records and media reports.He was first detained by Secret Service officers on June 26, 2025, after allegedly flagging down agents near the White House complex and making threats. He was involuntarily committed to the Psychiatric Institute of Washington for mental evaluation after claiming he was “God” and obstructing vehicle entry to part of the White House complex.Barely two weeks later, on July 10, 2025, Best was detained again for walking into a restricted area outside the White House despite warning signs. According to a court affidavit, officers confronted him, and he allegedly claimed he was “Jesus” and said “that he wanted to get arrested.”A judge subsequently issued a “stay-away order” directing Best to stay away from the White House grounds. He had violated that order prior to Saturday’s shooting.
Online activity and threats
Investigators reviewing Best’s online activity found posts in which he referred to himself as “the real” Osama bin Laden, according to CNN. Authorities also found at least one post that showed a desire to harm Trump.Conservative activist Laura Loomer shared what she claimed was a TikTok post by Best, writing that he “made previous threats of assassinating President Trump.” The post included the iconic photo of Trump with his fist raised after being shot at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally in 2024. A text overlay read: “Man cuh aint have no aim if it was me behind the (gun emoji) it woulda been a totally different story.”
The shooting
The incident unfolded shortly after 6 pm on Saturday when Best approached a Secret Service checkpoint near the White House. According to the Secret Service, he removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at officers.Officers returned fire, critically injuring Best. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. A bystander was also struck during the exchange of gunfire.Trump was inside the White House at the time. The White House went into lockdown for about an hour following the incident.Investigations into Best’s background and motive are ongoing.
