Police apprehended an 18-year-old man on Tuesday afternoon after he ran toward the U.S. Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun and wearing tactical gear, according to U.S. Capitol Police.
Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the incident began shortly after noon, when the suspect parked a white Mercedes SUV on Maryland Avenue, a short distance from the West Front of the Capitol.
The man then got out of the vehicle, holding the shotgun, and sprinted several hundred yards toward the building before officers confronted him near a staircase on the west side. Officers pointed their weapons at the suspect, ordered him to drop the gun and lie on the ground, and he quickly complied, allowing police to arrest him without any shots being fired, according to ABC News.
Officials said the shotgun was loaded and the man was carrying extra ammunition. He was also wearing a tactical vest and gloves, while a Kevlar helmet and gas mask were later found inside the SUV, police said.
Authorities described the suspect as 18 years old and "not from the area," noting that he had traveled to Washington but offering no further details about his background. His name had not been released as of Tuesday evening.
Police temporarily closed part of Maryland Avenue and nearby areas around the Capitol as they checked the vehicle and secured the scene. Congress was not in session at the time, and officials said there were no injuries and no ongoing threat to lawmakers, staff, or visitors, US News reported.
Investigators are still working to determine why the teenager approached the Capitol with the weapon and whether he intended to target members of Congress or the building itself. Sullivan said detectives have video of the encounter and asked the public to share any additional footage that may help the inquiry.
He also pointed out that the department has held recent active shooter drills in the same area, saying those preparations helped officers respond quickly and end the incident within moments, as per the Los Angeles Times.
