The U.S. Capitol Police arrested an armed man Monday after he drove his SUV to a security barricade on the north side of the Capitol. Parts of the Capitol grounds were reportedly closed down as law enforcement took the man into custody and investigated why he was trying to access the area while brandishing a firearm.
Independent journalists on scene were able to capture parts of the arrest and the aftermath. The man appeared to be attempting to drive a Ford Bronco, possibly with Florida plates, onto the grounds of the Capitol when he was stopped and taken into custody by Capitol Police.
SEE ALSO: New: USCP Release Identity of the Man Who Rushed at Capitol With Loaded Weapon
One video shows a man backing away from the Bronco with his hands in the air, with police immediately cuffing him.
#BREAKING: A man was arrested after bringing a gun onto U.S. Capitol grounds, Capitol police shared Monday.
— The National Desk (@TND) July 13, 2026
Video from the scene shows a man being taken into custody, as well as a silver SUV surrounded by officers and caution tape. There were several boxes placed on the hood of… pic.twitter.com/LUS2NEGYPE
#BREAKING: A man was arrested after bringing a gun onto U.S. Capitol grounds, Capitol police shared Monday.
Video from the scene shows a man being taken into custody, as well as a silver SUV surrounded by officers and caution tape. There were several boxes placed on the hood of the vehicle.
And it looks like the yet-to-be-identified suspect brought his canine companion along for the joy ride. Sadly – or maybe luckily? – for the doggo, it looks like local animal control took him into their custody.
A man and a dog have been taken into custody at the US Capitol after a vehicle (with what looks like Florida license plates) entered a restricted area and a gun was spotted. At this time, it is unclear if the man or the dog was driving, and who the gun belonged to. ;-) pic.twitter.com/f5fwSmdQ6T
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) July 13, 2026
This is the second time this year an armed kook tried to enter the Capitol. Back in February, 18-year-old Carter Camacho of Smyrna, GA, was arrested for trying to access the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol while carrying a loaded shotgun.
Update: Fox News Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram posted additional details regarding the incident and the individual detained to his X account late Monday afternoon:
USCP: A Mississippi man is facing a gun charge after he drove up to the North Barricade of the U.S. Capitol Building with a handgun.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 13, 2026
At 11:22 a.m. on Monday, July 13, a man drove a rented Ford Bronco to the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue and asked a United States Capitol…
USCP: A Mississippi man is facing a gun charge after he drove up to the North Barricade of the U.S. Capitol Building with a handgun.At 11:22 a.m. on Monday, July 13, a man drove a rented Ford Bronco to the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue and asked a United States Capitol Police (USCP) officer for directions to the U.S. Supreme Court. The officer noticed a handgun on the driver’s lap, so the officer ordered the man to put up his hands. A team of USCP officers surrounded the SUV and took the driver into custody. The driver was arrested without incident within two minutes of pulling up to the North Barricade.The suspect, 67-year-old Wendell J. Royster of Columbia, MS, is charged with Carrying a Pistol without a License and No Permit. All weapons are prohibited on Capitol Grounds. Royster was not on record with the USCP. Currently, there does not appear to be a nexus to the Congress.A dog was chained inside the Bronco, so USCP officers provided the dog water until animal control retrieved the dog.
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