Warning ignored: White House shooter who claimed to be Jesus was already under Federal surveillance

WASHINGTON: The 21-year-old gunman killed by law enforcement after opening fire near the White House on Saturday had a history of mental instability, a prior arrest at the complex, and reportedly believed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

The suspect, identified as Nasire Best of Maryland, was shot and killed by security personnel after drawing a weapon near a security checkpoint outside the executive mansion. Incumbent President Donald Trump was inside the building at the time, attending meetings regarding Iran peace negotiations.

According to law enforcement records and international media reports, Best was well known to federal authorities and was operating under a court order banning him from the White House perimeter.

Federal records reveal a pattern of escalating behaviour over the past year:

• June 2025: Best was detained by Washington police for disrupting traffic on 15th Street and was subsequently placed under a mandatory mental health evaluation and treatment order.
• July 2025: Just weeks after his release, Best was arrested by the U.S. Secret Service after trespassing into a restricted pedestrian zone surrounding the White House.

According to officials familiar with the case, Best told detaining officers during the July incident that he was the second coming of Jesus Christ and explicitly stated that he targeted the area because he "wanted to be arrested." Because of these incidents, he had been placed under active surveillance by federal security agencies.

An investigation into Saturday's shooting is ongoing as authorities review how Best managed to approach the checkpoint despite being under monitoring and in direct violation of active court restrictions.