A young man armed with a shotgun and wearing tactical gear was arrested near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday after sprinting toward the building before being confronted by law enforcement.
Around midday, the suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Carter Camacho of Smyrna, Georgia, was intercepted on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol after exiting a vehicle and advancing toward the complex. According to RedState, the incident triggered an immediate security response and a temporary lockdown of nearby streets, but no injuries were reported.
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) first alerted the public in a post on X, writing: 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. Moments later, a follow-up message announced: Maryland Avenue is temporarily closed between First and Third Streets, SW, while we investigate.
Authorities later located what they described as the suspects SUV parked on Maryland Avenue, where officers reported seeing additional tactical items. The USCP news release stated that alongside the loaded firearm, Camacho possessed multiple rounds of ammunition and a tactical style vest, and that inside the vehicle officers observed a helmet and a gas mask.
The agency emphasized that the swift reaction of officers prevented the situation from escalating into potential tragedy. The release noted that, thanks to the quick actions of the officers, no one was hurt, underscoring the importance of a strong security posture around one of the nations most symbolic institutions.
Camacho was taken into custody and faces several charges, including Unlawful Activities, Carrying a Rifle without a License, Unregistered Firearm, and Unregistered Ammunition, according to the USCP. During a press conference on Tuesday, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan described the sequence of events: 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
Sullivan told reporters that investigators are still working to determine what motivated the suspect. He added that he had not been informed of any utterances made by Camacho during the arrest and that authorities are unaware of any motive at this time.
In a separate statement, Sullivan highlighted the role of preparedness and training in averting disaster. Just last summer, we held an active threat exercise on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in the very location where todays 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.
USCP officials said Camacho was previously unknown to the department, and the investigation into his background and intentions remains ongoing. As this is a developing story, RedState has indicated it will continue to provide updates as additional facts emerge, a reminder that in an era of heightened political tension, vigilance and decisive law enforcement action remain essential to safeguarding the Capitol and those who work there.
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