18-Year-Old with Loaded Shotgun Detained Following Dash Towards US Capitol

In a startling incident at the US Capitol, law enforcement apprehended a young man armed with a loaded shotgun and outfitted in a tactical vest. Authorities have confirmed the suspect’s arrest following the tense encounter.

The incident unfolded when the 18-year-old suspect was seen running toward the Capitol building, brandishing his weapon, as disclosed by US Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Michael Sullivan during a briefing on Tuesday afternoon.

Equipped with additional ammunition, the young man was swiftly intercepted by police officers as he approached the Capitol from its western entrance. Officers confronted him, prompting the suspect to surrender without further incident, according to the authorities.

Interestingly, the suspect, who is not from the area, had no previous interactions with law enforcement prior to this alarming event.

The 18-year-old is not from the local area and was unknown to authorities before the incident.

Police originally put out a threat warning just after noon local time, noting an incident near the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace. 

‘Our officers just arrested a person with what appears to be a gun near the West Front of the US Capitol Building. Please avoid the area,’ USCP said in a statement.

‘Staff and other personnel are directed to AVOID THIS AREA until further notice,’ it added. 

A man with a shotgun, rounds of ammunition and a tactical vest ran towards the US Capitol building on Tuesday before being stopped by police

A White Mercedes Benz was searched by Capitol Police earlier today

The vehicle, suspected to be owned by the 18-year-old suspect, was towed after the incident

Within 30 minutes, USCP announced they had arrested the suspect.

Maryland Avenue was momentarily closed between First and Third Streets, SW.

The Lower West Terrace is a rarely used space at the Capitol’s entrance, facing the National Mall. It is most notably used for the swearing in of presidents and has few other ceremonial uses. 

Images from the scene showed a number of officers standing near the Lower West Terrace with police tape up as authorities investigated. 

Capitol Police said that there are no other suspects at this time. 

The USCP later gave the all clear around 2 pm local time and traffic resumed as normal. 

Lawmakers are in recess this week; most representatives and senators are not in Washington or at the Capitol. 

‘The fact that I work in a building that’s such a major target is always in the back of my mind when I’m coming into work,’ one hill aide told the Daily Mail. 

‘It’s definitely a little unnerving at times, but I’m thankful that the Capitol Police do such a great job protecting us & stopping these incidents before they become a tragedy.’

The Capitol Complex and members of Congress have seen a sharp uptick in threats over the last five years. 

Two Democratic lawmakers have recently been attacked as threats against members of Congress continue to rise  

Recently, Capitol Police released a threat assessment showing that the number of concerning statements, behaviors and communications directed against lawmakers, their families, staff and the Capitol Complex has risen drastically. 

In 2025, the agency investigated 14,938 incidents, a major year-over-year increase from 9,474 in 2024.

Capitol Police has been contacted for comment. 

There have already been two members of Congress attacked this year. 

Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota was sprayed with an unknown substance from a syringe while giving a town hall in Minneapolis. 

Days before that, Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida was punched in the face while attending the Sundance Film Festival. 

The man who sprayed Omar and the man who punched Frost were later charged with assault.