Shotgun-Wielding Attacker Who Charged U.S. Capitol Was Wearing Tactical Vest With Spare Ammo, Police Reveal

An 18-year-old man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after running toward the United States Capitol building while armed with a loaded shotgun, prompting a swift response from U.S. Capitol Police and a lockdown of portions of the National Mall area in Washington, D.C.

Authorities say the incident unfolded just after noon on Feb. 17, 2026, when the young man parked a white Mercedes SUV on the 100 block of Maryland Avenue, a block from the Capitol’s West Front. At a press conference, Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan described how the man exited the vehicle carrying the shotgun and began sprinting several hundred yards toward the iconic seat of the legislative branch.

Officers immediately intercepted the suspect as he closed in on the West Front plaza. Sullivan said the man was ordered to drop the weapon, which he did, and was taken into custody without injuries or further confrontation. “He immediately complied,” the chief told reporters at a press conference.

At the scene, investigators discovered additional gear inside the suspect’s vehicle. A Kevlar helmet and gas mask were recovered, and police reported the shotgun was loaded with extra ammunition on the man’s person. Sullivan noted that the suspect was also wearing a tactical vest and gloves when apprehended.

Capitol Police emphasized that the man has not been publicly identified, and his motive remains under investigation, including whether his actions were aimed at lawmakers, staff, or the building itself. Chief Sullivan said that Congress was not in session at the time of the incident, which may have influenced the risk profile of the encounter.

Law enforcement officials described the suspect as not being from the Washington, D.C., area and noted that his vehicle was not registered to him, raising questions about how and why he traveled to the Capitol. Sullivan also acknowledged that the agency has video footage of the approach but asked members of the public who may have captured additional angles to come forward to assist with the inquiry.

The incident sparked a temporary security concern across the Capitol grounds and adjacent National Mall, though authorities reported no ongoing threat and said no other suspects were involved. Police had urged pedestrians and tourists to steer clear of the Lower West Terrace area during the brief response.

This arrest comes amid an environment of heightened alert for threats against Congress and federal institutions. Recent data shared by law enforcement with Axios indicates that the Capitol Police have handled nearly 15,000 threat assessment cases over the past year, reflecting a surge in both reported and credible risks targeting lawmakers and Capitol Hill staff.