Man who allegedly ran toward US Capitol with loaded shotgun arrested
- - Man who allegedly ran toward US Capitol with loaded shotgun arrested
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY February 18, 2026 at 2:09 AM
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WASHINGTON – A man who was allegedly seen running toward the U.S. Capitol building with a loaded shotgun and wearing a tactical vest was arrested Feb. 17, police said.
Police said they confronted the suspect, whose name wasn’t immediately released, and told him to drop his weapon and lay on the ground, which he did. Authorities said he's 18 years old and "not from the area."
The arrest came a week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to give his State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress on Feb. 24.
“We take the State of the Union very, very seriously, and this doesn't change our posture,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan told reporters. “We will be prepared on State of the Union.”
The incident occurred as threats have spiked against members of Congress. A record 14,938 threats were recorded in 2025, according to U.S. Capitol Police. The previous peak was 9,625 in 2021.
Sullivan said the motive was still under investigation, and he wasn't aware if the man said anything when he was arrested.
The Peace Monument frames the U.S. Capitol dome on a foggy day as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security continues, in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 17, 2026.
Capitol Police hold monthly drills to combat active shooters and held one in recent months where the suspect was arrested, Sullivan said.
“Who knows what could have happened if we wouldn't have officers here standing guard like they do every single day,” Sullivan said.
The suspect was allegedly seen parking a white Mercedes SUV along Maryland Avenue, which is across First Street southwest from the Capitol. He was allegedly seen running toward the west front of the Capitol, which faces the National Mall. Police said they found a Kevlar helmet and gas mask in the vehicle.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man who allegedly ran toward Capitol with a loaded shotgun arrested
Source: “AOL Breaking”
