Police in Washington, DC, have arrested an 18-year-old man as he ran towards the Capitol Building, armed with a loaded sh0tgun and extra ammunition.
Officials identified the man as Carter Camacho, 18, of Georgia. Chief Michael Sullivan said his officers told Camacho to drop his weapon at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, and he complied. He was taken into custody by the USCP officers.
Authorities said Camacho was wearing a tactical vest and had multiple rounds of ammunition on him. A Kevlar helmet and gas mask were found in a white Mercedes SUV, which was parked in the 100 block of Maryland Avenue, Southwest.
The suspect had run “several hundred yards” towards the Capitol Building, brandishing a combat-style shotgun, before he was intercepted by police, the US Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said.
Officers challenged the suspect and ordered him to drop the gun. He complied with the order, lay on the ground and was arrested and taken into custody, police said.
No motive was given by police, who said the suspect’s actions were under investigation, including whether he intended to target Congress, which is not currently in session.
“Who knows what would have happened if we wouldn’t have officers standing here?” Sullivan told a news conference.
Police later found the suspect’s Mercedes SUV parked in front of the US Botanic Garden on nearby Maryland Avenue. A gas mask and a Kevlar helmet were discovered inside the car.
Sullivan told reporters the suspect was not known to the authorities. “The vehicle wasn’t registered to him, and he has multiple addresses,” he added.
US Capitol Police said in a statement that the suspect faces charges of unlawful activities, as well as carrying a rifle without a licence, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unregistered ammunition.
Tuesday’s arrest took place one week before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to give his State of the Union address to Congress.