The U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man at the U.S. Capitol who smelled like fuel and had a torch and a flare gun. The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was stopped during the security screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center. He had written a 25-page manifesto and intended to deliver it to Congress. The arrest occurred around 12:30 p.m. ET and the suspect’s clothes reeked of fuel and were wet, leading to his immediate arrest. The suspect had a blow torch, flare gun, and other flammable liquids in his possession, but investigators were unsure of his intentions. The suspect, a White male in his late 20s who drove from Michigan, appeared to be acting alone and was not on the U.S. Capitol Police’s radar. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger stated that there was no indication that the incident was related to the election.
Authorities seized the suspect’s vehicle several blocks away and are conducting an ongoing investigation. The suspect had papers with him that he intended to deliver to Congress. Officers noticed two bottles and what appeared to be a firearm in the suspect’s backpack, along with a strong odor of gasoline. A flare gun, lighter, and torch lighter were found in his jacket, along with other items in his backpack. The suspect was described as being compliant with police and is now being interviewed by investigators. The incident occurred on Election Day as voters across the country went to the polls. Security measures were heightened around major sites in the nation’s capital, including the White House, the vice president’s residence, and private businesses in major cities like New York, Portland, and Washington, D.C.
The Secret Service confirmed the erection of barriers around key sites in Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach County, Florida, in preparation for the election. Fencing was set up around the White House, Naval Observatory, and Treasury Department, while bike-rack barriers were used to fortify the Capitol. Security measures were also increased at Howard University, where Vice President Kamala Harris was expected to be on election night. The suspect appeared to be acting alone and had not been on the U.S. Capitol Police’s radar. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger stated that there was no indication that the incident was linked to the election. The suspect was described as being cooperative with police and is currently being interviewed by investigators.
The suspect had a torch, flare gun, and other flammable liquids in his possession, leading to concerns about a potential self-immolation. Investigators are still going through the papers found with the suspect to determine his intentions. Security measures were heightened in Washington, D.C., and other major cities in preparation for Election Day, with barriers erected around key sites and private businesses boarding up their storefronts. The suspect, a White male in his late 20s from Michigan, drove all night to the Capitol and was stopped during the security screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center. Authorities seized the suspect’s vehicle and are continuing their investigation into the incident. The suspect did not appear to be on the U.S. Capitol Police’s radar and was described as being compliant with police during the arrest.
Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger stated that some of the suspect’s clothes smelled like gasoline, but not all of them, indicating uncertainty about his intentions. The suspect had a flare gun, torch lighter, and other flammable items in his possession. It was unclear whether the suspect intended to self-immolate himself. The suspect was described as compliant with police and is currently being interviewed by investigators. The incident occurred on Election Day as voters across the country headed to the polls. Security measures were heightened in Washington, D.C., and other major cities in anticipation of potential unrest. The Secret Service confirmed the placement of barriers around key sites in the nation’s capital and Palm Beach County, Florida, and stated that they were working closely with federal, state, and local partners to ensure safety and security.
