Tuesday February 17th, an 18-year-old man was arrested after he was allegedly seen running toward the U.S. Capitol, carrying a shotgun.
Just after noon on Tuesday, a strange and unsettling scene unfolded near the U.S. Capitol. Carter Camacho, an 18‑year‑old from Smyrna, Georgia pulled up in a white Mercedes on Maryland Avenue. When pulled over, he stepped out wearing a vest, carrying a loaded shotgun, and started running toward the Capitol building.
Capitol Police officers spotted him immediately. Officers in the surrounding area reacted very quick. According to USCP Chief Michael Sullivan, they shouted for him to drop the weapon, and he actually listened without resistance. He put the shotgun down without a fight. Once officers moved in and searched him and the car, they realized he was carrying even more gear. Along with the tactical vest and gloves he had on, police found a Kevlar helmet, a gas mask, and extra ammunition in the Mercedes.
Police say Camacho wasn’t previously on their radar, and there’s no sign that anyone else was involved. The Mercedes was proved to not be registered to him, and investigators are still trying to figure out who owns it and how he got access to the vehicle. Officers are now reviewing surveillance footage and asking anyone who recorded the incident on their phone to share it.
Camacho is now facing several charges, including unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, possessing an unregistered firearm and in possession of unregistered ammunition. The USCP Threat Assessment Section is currently working to understand why he did it.
The area around the Capitol was briefly shut down while officers secured the scene, but everything has since reopened. Police also explained that they’re fully preparing for next week’s State of the Union address and due to incidents like this, major federal events will be treated with the highest level of security.
