- “At this point we have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat,” police said
- An officer told reporters it was a “man with an AR-15.”
U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man with an AR-15 rifle outside the Capitol complex Tuesday afternoon.
Police confirmed the suspect arrested on the Senate side of the Capitol was in custody after receiving a 911 call.
“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 that there is an ongoing threat,” Capitol Police wrote on X.
“We are working to gather more information and will release more details as they are confirmed,” the post continued.
An officer told reporters it was a “man with an AR-15.” His motive currently remains unclear.
U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man with an AR-15 weapon outside the Capitol complex Tuesday afternoon
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 that there is an ongoing threat. We are working to gather more information and will release more details as soon as they are confirmed.
— The US Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) November 7, 2023
The U.S. Capitol Police also said they were responding to a “suspicious package” in the upper area of Senate Park.
Employees and pedestrians have been advised to avoid the area until further information is available.
The police activity is taking place around Columbus Circle, which is between the Capitol and Union Station.
It’s less than a half-mile walk from Union Station to the Senate side of the Capitol complex.
Members of Congress are at the Capitol today, working from their office buildings on either side of the complex.
The Senate is in session and voted during the arrest to confirm Biden’s nominee to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Monica Bertagnolli.
The House of Representatives also meets today.
Early Tuesday, Republicans held a news conference with families of people taken hostage by Hamas to mark the first month since the horrific terrorist attack that killed over 1,400 civilians.
Police reportedly blocked staff and reporters from leaving the building through the Senate car door.
An aide to Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., wrote on X that she was grateful for the Capitol Police’s “immediate action.”
“That’s awful. And exhausting. And not normal. We’re tired of living like this. Enough is enough.’
Over the weekend, police arrested two suspects who drove a stolen car into the Capitol complex.
The suspects were holding handguns, including one with a “giggle switch” that turns the weapon into a machine gun.
Capitol Police officers pursued the driver and passenger on foot until they were captured a few blocks from the Capitol building.
In August, an active shooter false alarm following a “bad” 911 call from a Senate office sparked panic in the Capitol.
Some held their hands in the air as they left government buildings during a false alarm in August
Back in August, Senate staffers were seen streaming out of the Russell Senate Office Building accompanied by police officers during a false alarm
D.C. Metropolitan Police confirmed there were “no injuries” and no shooter at the Capitol after the call led to a lockdown of the Senate office buildings.
The buildings were evacuated and police went from floor to floor to give the all-clear.
Workers were told to hide in their offices and took to the streets – some holding their hands up – as police rushed to the scene.
Armed man with AR-15 on Capitol Hill ARRESTED: Police confirm suspect in custody after 911 call from outside congressional office