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By Gabe Whisnant
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U.S. Capitol Police arrested an 18‑year‑old man Tuesday after officers saw him run from his vehicle toward the west side of the U.S. Capitol while armed with a shotgun, authorities said.
Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the suspect parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol, exited the vehicle and ran “several hundred yards” toward the building before officers intercepted him and ordered him to the ground. The man complied and was taken into custody without shots being fired, Sullivan said.
Police Find Loaded Shotgun, Tactical Gear
Speaking at a news conference, Sullivan said the suspect was wearing a tactical vest and gloves at the time of the arrest. Officers determined the shotgun was loaded, and the man was carrying additional ammunition on his person, the chief said.
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A search of the vehicle uncovered a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask, Sullivan said. The motive for the incident remains under investigation, including whether members of Congress were a potential target.
Congress is not in session this week, and authorities said there was no ongoing threat.
Investigation Ongoing, Police Seek Video
Sullivan said investigators are reviewing department surveillance footage and asked members of the public to share any video or images they may have captured during the incident.
“Who knows what would have happened if we wouldn’t have officers standing here?” Sullivan said, noting that Capitol Police had conducted active shooter drills in nearly the same area in recent months.
The chief said the suspect was not previously known to law enforcement and does not appear to be from the Washington area. The vehicle involved was not registered to the suspect, and Sullivan said the man has multiple listed addresses.
Heightened Security Ahead of State of the Union
Tuesday’s arrest comes one week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address before Congress. Sullivan said the incident does not alter security preparations for the event.
“We take the State of the Union very, very seriously,” he said.
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The Capitol has seen several security incidents in recent years. In 2023, Capitol Police arrested an Atlanta man armed with a rifle after he was spotted in a park near the Senate.
Broader Public Safety Context in Washington
Crime in Washington has declined so far in 2026 compared with 2025, a year that itself saw a sharp drop from the previous year, officials said. Trump declared an emergency in the city last August aimed at addressing public safety concerns, leading to the deployment of more than 2,000 National Guard members along with thousands of federal law enforcement officers and agents.
The deployment saw two West Virginia soldiers shot in November, one of whom later died.
Federal officers remain stationed throughout the city.
Updates: 2/17/26, 4:22 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
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