1 hour ago
Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 02:33 IST
US Capitol Police arrested an 18-year-old with a loaded shotgun, extra ammo, and gear on the West Front.
Police said the 18-year-old complied with orders to drop the weapon before being taken into custody on the Capitol’s West Front. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
An 18-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday after he rushed towards the US Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun.
US Capitol Police officers confronted the suspect, who was wearing a tactical vest and gloves, and ordered him to drop the weapon. He complied, placing the shotgun on the ground and lying down before officers took him into custody on the West Front of the Capitol, Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan told reporters.
“Who knows what would have happened if we wouldn’t have officers standing here?" the chief said, adding that the department had run active shooter drills in almost the identical spot in recent months.
Sullivan said the suspect was carrying additional ammunition at the time of his arrest. Authorities also searched the man’s vehicle — a white Mercedes SUV parked near the building — and recovered a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask, according to US broadcaster NBC News who first reported the development.
Police said the suspect is not from the Washington, DC, area and was not previously known to law enforcement. Officials have not provided further details, including a possible motive, and the investigation is ongoing, Sullivan said.
The arrest took place while lawmakers are away from Washington for recess, though congressional staff continue to work on Capitol Hill.
The incident comes a week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address at the Capitol on February 24, a period when security around the complex is typically heightened.
Capitol Police have dealt with similar incidents in the past involving armed individuals either outside the complex or attempting to pass through security. Authorities have repeatedly warned about a rise in threats against lawmakers and congressional staff in recent years.
A US Capitol Police report released last month found that threats related to Congress increased for a third consecutive year in 2025, reaching their highest level in years, NBC News reported.
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Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
February 18, 2026, 02:33 IST
News world Man Wearing Tactical Vest Runs Toward US Capitol Carrying Loaded Shotgun, Arrested
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