Capitol Police arrest armed individual near US Capitol
(CNN) — Law enforcement arrested an individual that appeared to have a gun around the upper Senate park near the Russell Senate Office Building, a law enforcement official told CNN. US Capitol Police said on X that the suspect is in custody and police were searching the suspect’s belongings.
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“USCP Officers just arrested a man with a gun in the park across from Union Station. At this time we have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat. We are working to gather more information and will put out more details when they are confirmed,” the Capitol Police posted on X. “We just searched the area in the park that we secured. Out of an abundance of caution, we going to search the suspect’s belongings. Again, the suspect is in custody. Investigation ongoing.”
It came after CNN spotted roughly 20 officers running out the doors on the first floor of the Capitol.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger told reporters on Tuesday that the man will be charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm on Capitol grounds and could face additional counts.
“There is some indication that he may be dealing with some mental health issues,” Manger said. Two eyewitnesses told CNN the man was seen screaming before he was arrested.
Manger said police approached the man after an individual alerted the officers and, after failing orders to drop his weapon, an officer deployed a taser in his back. The man then fell forward onto his gun.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the police chief said bomb technicians were still examining a bag the individual had but nothing suspicious has been found.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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