Police Arrest Man Carrying Shotgun Near US Capitol Building

Washington, DC - A suspect identified as Carter Camacho from Smyrna, Georgia, was taken into custody by US Capitol Police on Tuesday after running towards the Capitol Building with a loaded shotgun and extra ammunition.

According to authorities, Camacho, 18 years old, was wearing a tactical vest and gloves when he approached the building. He had also been found to have additional ammunition alongside the shotgun. The suspect ran “several hundred yards” towards the Capitol Building before being intercepted by police.

US Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan stated that officers challenged the suspect and ordered him to drop his gun, which he complied with. Camacho was then arrested and taken into custody. No motive for the suspect’s actions has been disclosed, although an investigation is ongoing to determine whether he intended to target Congress.

Police discovered a Mercedes SUV belonging to Camacho parked in front of the US Botanic Garden on nearby Maryland Avenue. Inside the vehicle, authorities found a gas mask and a Kevlar helmet. It was noted that Camacho was not known to the authorities, as his vehicle was not registered to him and he had multiple addresses.

Camacho faces charges related to unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unregistered ammunition. The incident occurred one week before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress.

Source: Al Jazeera