BREAKING UPDATE: Gunman who opened fire on White House identified as Nasire Best, believed he was Jesus Christ

A series of gunshots were heard by the White House on Saturday evening, forcing the press to run into the White House press room. The gunman never got inside the perimeter of the White House and was shot dead by Secret Service. 

Senior administration officials said that a gunman shot around three times at the White House with a firearm and then US Secret Service (USSS) agents returned fire, according to Fox News. The gunman, identified as a man named Nesire Best, was shot and then later died at the hospital. A civilian was also caught in the crossfire and was in serious condition after the shooting.  

"Shortly after 6:00 p.m. Saturday, an individual approached a Secret Service checkpoint in the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. A preliminary investigation indicates that as the individual approached, he removed a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers. Secret Service police officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. During the shooting, a bystander was also struck by gunfire. It remains unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect’s initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire," USSS said in a statement. 

"Many gunshots were heard when we were at the White House. We were told to run into the press briefing room," ABC News' Selina Wang said in a post. The suspect was identified as an "emotionally disturbed person" by Reuters and was previously issued a "stay-away" order. Reports indicated that Best has a documented criminal history and has had brushes with law enforcement before. 

According to the New York Post, Best is known to USSS and believes that he is Jesus Christ an has violated protocol at the White House before. 

Video from the scene showed reporters ducking to cover as the gunshots were hearing ringing out. The press was told by authorities to take cover in the White House briefing room on the scene. Over a dozen shots were heard in the footage, and some reports indicated that there were as many as 30. 

Following the shots taking place, the White House was secured and placed on lockdown. President Donald Trump was at the White House when the shots took place.  

Videos showed Secret Service agents going around the security perimeter of the building in an effort to investigate and secure the scene.

CNN reported that the shots "appeared outside of the grounds, closer to the EEOB building, which is on the west side of the White House." The incident reportedly happened near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue where the shots rang out. A heavy police presence was on the scene of where the shots were fired. 

FBI Director Kash Patel said of the situation, "FBI is on the scene and supporting Secret Service responding to shots fired near White House grounds - we will update the public as we’re able."

The incident comes about a month after an attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.