WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Capitol Police in Washington, D.C., arrested an 18-year-old man on Tuesday as he ran from his car toward the west side of the Capitol while armed with a shotgun.
Capital Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the unidentified man parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol, got out and ran “hundreds of yards” toward the Capitol before police intercepted him and ordered him to the ground.
Sullivan said at a news conference after the arrest that the gunman was wearing a tactical vest and gloves, and a Kevlar helmet and gas mask in the car. The chief said the shotgun was loaded and he had more bullets.
Sullivan said the motive was under investigation, including whether members of Congress were targeted. Congress is not in session.
Sullivan said the department has video footage, but he asked the public to come forward with any video footage they may have of the incident.
“If there weren’t police officers standing here, who knows what would have happened?” the chief said, adding that the department had conducted active shooter drills at nearly the same location in recent months.
Sullivan said the young man was unknown to authorities and said he was not from the area. The person in charge said the vehicle was not registered to the suspect, who had multiple addresses.