Around noon ET on Tuesday, a man carrying a weapon rushed toward the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., but was quickly intercepted by officials, according to reports, then taken into custody. There were no injuries reported.
Our officers just arrested a person with what appears to be a gun near the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building. Please avoid the area. We will provide more information when new information is confirmed. pic.twitter.com/f9JQPYUq8O
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) February 17, 2026
Moments later, a follow-up X post announced the temporary closure of the nearest intersections as they looked into the inident, with the area reopened three hours later:
Maryland Avenue is temporarily closed between First and Third Streets, SW, while we investigate.
Now, the United States Capitol Police has shared a press release with more information on the suspect.
Here is a news release with the latest on our investigation: https://t.co/bfNkK5EQSq pic.twitter.com/3YCanoVkWY
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) February 17, 2026
The man, identified as 18-year-old Carter Camacho of Smyrna, GA, was arrested just after noon on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol.
The release added that Camacho, in addition to the loaded gun, had multiple rounds of ammunition and a tactical style vest. Next. Capitol Police also found the suspect's vehicle, an SUV, parked nearby on Maryland Avenue. Inside, they say they saw a helmet and a gas mask
The release continues that, thanks to the quick actions of the officers, no one was hurt.
The suspect was arrested for Unlawful Activities, Carrying a Rifle without a License, Unregistered Firearm, and Unregistered Ammunition, according to the USCP release. U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan spoke during a press conference onTuesday:
U.S. @CapitolPolice on incident today: "A gentleman parked...he exited the vehicle with a shotgun and began running up towards the Capitol...Capitol police officers observed this individual, challenged him and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on ground which he did comply… pic.twitter.com/7EhRK1hTmL
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 17, 2026
He added during the press conference that he had not been made aware of any "utterances" that the suspect might have made during the arrest, and that they are "unaware of any motive at this time."
Sullivan said in a statement:
“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," he said. "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.”
Camacho was unknown to the USCP, and they are continuing to investigate what happened earlier on Tuesday.
As this is a developing story, RedState will provide updates as warranted.
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