Secret Service agents shot and killed a gunman who opened fire near a checkpoint outside the White House on Saturday evening.

The incident underscores the persistent security threats facing the U.S. capital's most sensitive landmarks and the role of mental health in violent attacks.

Nasire Best, 21 [1], fired about three shots [2] near a Secret Service checkpoint in Washington, D.C. Agents responded by killing the suspect, who died at the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel briefed the media on the response to the incident.

"Law enforcement authorities are responding to shots that were fired near the White House grounds," Patel said [3].

Investigators found that Best had a history of prior arrests and mental-health concerns. According to reports, the suspect believed he was the modern-day Jesus Christ [1, 4]. While one report suggests he claimed to be Jesus Christ, another source contradicts this, stating he claimed to be Osama bin Laden [1].

At least one bystander was seriously injured during the shooting [5]. The FBI is leading the investigation into the motive and the suspect's background to determine if there were broader ties to any organized group, or if the attack was the result of a personal mental health crisis.

Authorities have not released further details regarding the weapon used or the specific condition of the injured bystander. The area around the checkpoint remained under heavy guard following the shooting as investigators processed the scene.

“"Law enforcement authorities are responding to shots that were fired near the White House grounds."”

This event highlights the volatility of 'lone actor' threats where mental health crises intersect with high-security zones. The contradiction in the suspect's claimed identity—ranging from a religious figure to a known terrorist—suggests a state of profound delusion or a deliberate attempt to confuse investigators, complicating the initial profiling of the attack.