An 18-year-old man from Georgia was taken into custody near the US Capitol after he allegedly ran toward the building carrying a loaded shotgun while dressed in tactical gear, prompting an immediate security response from law enforcement authorities. According to US Capitol Police, the suspect, identified as Carter Camacho from Smyrna, Georgia, had parked a Mercedes SUV close to the Capitol complex before exiting the vehicle and sprinting several hundred yards toward the west side of the building with the firearm in his possession.
Police Chief Michael Sullivan said officers quickly intercepted the man, ordering him to drop the weapon and lie on the ground, after which he was arrested without further incident. Officials confirmed that the shotgun was loaded and that the suspect was carrying additional ammunition at the time. He was also wearing a tactical vest and gloves, while a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask were later discovered inside the vehicle, raising further concerns about the nature of the incident.
Authorities stated that investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the act, including whether any members of Congress were intended targets. Congress was not in session at the time of the incident. Sullivan noted that the suspect was not previously known to law enforcement and appeared to have travelled from outside the Washington area. The vehicle used in the incident was not registered in his name, and officials said he listed multiple addresses.
The suspect is currently being held on several charges, including unlawful activity, carrying a rifle without a licence, and possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition. Police said video footage of the incident exists and appealed to members of the public to share any additional recordings that could assist the investigation.
Officials emphasised that the swift response by officers may have prevented a potentially dangerous situation, noting that active shooter drills had recently been conducted in the same area. The arrest comes just a week before the US President’s State of the Union address, though authorities said existing security plans for the event remain unchanged.
The incident follows several security-related episodes in recent years around the Capitol complex and comes amid heightened law enforcement presence across Washington, where federal agencies continue to maintain increased deployment after earlier crime-control measures introduced last year.
