Man killed in front of the White House had a history of mental problems

Nasire Best, the 21-year-old who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents in front of the White House, had had previous encounters with the Secret Service, according to court records.

According to a sworn statement filed with the court, agents encountered Best several times near the site last summer, who was "known to the Secret Service" to "walk around the White House complex asking how to gain access to various entry points."

He was involuntarily committed on June 26, 2025, for "obstructing vehicular entry" into part of the White House complex, according to court documents. He has also been arrested by police while claiming to be "Jesus Christ".

On July 10, 2025, Best ignored warnings and entered a restricted area outside the White House, where he was confronted by several police officers, according to the testimony. Best claimed to be Jesus and said "he wanted to be arrested," according to the report.

The young man's social media also includes a post that appears to threaten US President Donald Trump with violence, and another in which he wrote: "Indeed, I am the son of God."

The Secret Service said Saturday that agents shot a man - identified as Best by law enforcement sources who spoke to CNN - when he approached a checkpoint in front of the White House and began shooting at officers. Another pedestrian was hit in the exchange of gunfire.

Trump, who was in the White House at the time, was not injured.

Source: CNN