U.S. Capitol Police detained a man near the Senate side of the Capitol after officers found him with a firearm, triggering a large police response and a temporary closure around the North Barricade.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police arrested an armed man outside the Capitol on Monday, temporarily restricting access near the Senate side of the complex while officers investigated why he drove onto restricted grounds with a firearm.
The arrest occurred around noon at the North Barricade, where federal law prohibits firearms.
A Capitol Police spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that officers “arrested a man at the North Barricade of the U.S. Capitol who had a firearm.”
Investigators were working to establish the man’s identity and determine why he brought the weapon to the Capitol, the spokesperson said.
Authorities had not released the suspect’s name or announced criminal charges as of Monday afternoon.
Video recorded by CNN showed six Capitol Police officers surrounding a gray Ford Bronco Sport before ordering the driver to leave the vehicle at gunpoint.
The man stepped out with his hands raised and walked backward toward the officers before being handcuffed without incident.
A dog remained inside the sport utility vehicle and could be seen barking through an open window as officers continued examining the scene.
The vehicle had Florida license plates, according to NBC4 Washington.
Yellow police tape was placed around the SUV while numerous law enforcement vehicles blocked access to the area during the investigation.
Capitol Police instructed congressional employees, visitors and members of the public to avoid the North Barricade while officers searched the vehicle and processed evidence.
The barricade is located between Delaware Avenue and First Street near the Senate wing of the Capitol. The area regularly receives heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic from lawmakers, staff members and visitors.
Authorities had not said whether investigators believed the incident was politically motivated or whether the man intended to threaten members of Congress, Capitol employees or the public.
No injuries were reported, and the incident did not lead to a broader evacuation of the Capitol complex.
The arrest occurred on the anniversary of the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt against President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Security surrounding elected officials and federal facilities has remained under heightened scrutiny since that attack.
The Capitol complex has also experienced multiple security incidents in recent years, leading Capitol Police and other federal agencies to expand protective measures and closely monitor restricted areas.
Officers continued searching the vehicle and collecting evidence Monday afternoon.
Capitol Police said the investigation remained active and that further information would be released as it became available.
Although access near the North Barricade was briefly disrupted, normal operations elsewhere in the Capitol complex continued without a reported evacuation or additional threat.
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