Teenager Arrested After Running Toward US Capitol with Shotgun in Tactical Gear
Police in Washington, D.C., have arrested an 18-year-old man who ran toward the US Capitol building while holding a shotgun and wearing tactical gear. The incident occurred when the suspect, identified as Carter Camacho from Georgia, exited an SUV and sprinted several hundred yards toward the west side of the Capitol.
Immediate Police Response and Arrest
According to authorities, Camacho dropped his weapon and complied immediately when challenged by officers on the scene. He was tackled by police and ordered to relinquish the shotgun. Police Chief Michael Sullivan reported that the suspect was wearing a vest and gloves, with a gas mask found in his vehicle.
The SUV Camacho used was not registered to him, and investigators note he has multiple addresses. Congress was not in session during the arrest, but officers warned people to avoid the area as a precaution. The motive behind Camacho's actions remains under active investigation by Capitol police.
History of Weapons Incidents at Capitol Grounds
This is not the first instance of individuals bringing weapons to the US Capitol complex. In 2022, an 84-year-old man from Tunnel Hill, Georgia, named Tony H Payne was arrested after authorities discovered multiple unregistered guns and ammunition in his suspiciously parked van.
Payne claimed he was delivering documents to the Supreme Court when questioned, admitting to carrying firearms. He was charged with carrying an unregistered firearm, unregistered ammunition, and carrying a pistol without a license.
Capitol police have emphasized that weapons are strictly banned from Capitol Grounds, yet dozens of people are arrested annually for violating this law. Other notable incidents include a man who shot himself after crashing his car into a barricade near the Capitol in August 2022, and a 2021 arrest of a man found with multiple knives, a machete, and a bayonet near Democratic National Convention headquarters.
The arrest of Camacho highlights ongoing security challenges at one of America's most symbolic government buildings, with police maintaining vigilance against potential threats despite regular violations of weapon prohibitions.
