Investigators are working to determine the motive behind an alarming security incident on Tuesday after an 18-year-old Georgia man dressed in tactical gear allegedly ran toward the West Front of the U.S. Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun.
The incident triggered a rapid response from U.S. Capitol Police.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the episode unfolded just before noon when Carter Camacho, of Smyrna, Georgia, parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol.
He then exited the vehicle and ran “several hundred yards” toward the building.
Camacho was armed with the weapon and additional ammunition.
Officers quickly intercepted Camacho and ordered him to drop the shotgun.
He was taken into custody without incident, Sullivan said.
Authorities reported that Camacho was wearing a tactical vest and tactical gloves at the time of the confrontation.
A Kevlar helmet, a gas mask, and multiple rounds of ammunition were later recovered from the SUV.
Police said the surrounding area was cleared and reopened shortly afterward.
Authorities added that investigators do not believe there are additional suspects or an ongoing threat.
Motive Under Investigation
The U.S. Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section is now examining Camacho’s possible intent, including whether members of Congress were the intended target.
Congress was not in session when the incident occurred, and officials said the suspect was not previously known to the department.
Sullivan noted that the agency possesses video footage of the encounter.
He also urged members of the public to provide any additional recordings that may assist investigators.
“Just last summer, we held an active threat exercise on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol – in the very location where today’s officers stopped the suspect,” Sullivan said in a news release.
“These now routine exercises are planned monthly and in different areas of the Capitol Complex to keep our officers ready for potential threats just like this.”
He emphasized during a press conference that Capitol Police conduct active-shooter drills every month, including one in nearly the same location in recent months.
“We do those active shooter exercises every single month, and that’s why we do it,” Sullivan said.
“Who knows what could have happened if we didn’t have officers here standing guard like they do every single day.”
Charges Filed Ahead of State of the Union
Camacho faces multiple charges, including unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of unregistered ammunition, according to Capitol Police.
Sullivan added that the suspect is not from the Washington area, the vehicle was not registered in his name, and he has multiple listed addresses.
The arrest comes one week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address before Congress.
Sullivan said the incident will not alter existing security preparations.
“We take the State of the Union very, very seriously,” he said.
The confrontation is the latest in a series of security incidents near the Capitol in recent years, including the 2023 arrest of an armed individual near the Senate.
It underscores the persistent threat environment surrounding the seat of the federal government.
READ MORE – Ohio Democrat Issues Disturbing Threat: ‘I Am Going to Kill Donald Trump’
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