On the Street

U.S. Capitol Police Arrest Man with Firearm, Flare Gun, Torch

Nov. 6, 2024

Security screeners at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center smelled gasoline on a man, and a search of his backpack discovered a firearm, a flare gun and a torch.

By Dominic Genetti

Source Midland Daily News, Mich.

A man was arrested Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., after authorities screened his backpack and found a torch, flare gun, and firearm.

The incident occurred around 12 p.m. Eastern, and U.S. Capitol Police took the man into custody.

At a late-afternoon press conference, U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said security screeners at the visitor center smelled gasoline on the individual, described as a white male. A torch lighter was also found in the man's jacket, and authorities located his vehicle several blocks away.

"He had papers with him that he said he intended to deliver to Congress. We're still going through all of those papers—there's quite a bit—and we are trying to determine where, in fact, he did come from," Manger said. "As he approached the Capitol Visitor Center, he was walking fairly slowly, looking around. When he entered the CVC, he was observed looking around, looking up to the left, to the right."

Manger added that the man is being interviewed and the investigation is ongoing.

Because of the incident, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center closed for the rest of the day.

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