Police arrest a man who "smelled of fuel" and had a flare gun on Election Day at the U.S. Capitol

(Gray News) – U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man Tuesday when he tried to enter the visitors center with a flare gun and an apparent accelerant.

U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said during a briefing that the man entered the Capitol Visitor Center and approached the screening area shortly after noon on Election Day.

Officers at the screening area asked the man to put down his jacket and backpack for inspection. They then noticed what appeared to be a firearm, later identified as a flare gun, and two bottles of accelerant in his bag.

Manger also said police noticed that the man smelled like gasoline.

Police arrested the man, whose identity was initially unknown, without incident.

His vehicle was located several blocks from the Capitol.

Police are still investigating a motive, Manger said, but the man told investigators he had papers in his backpack that he planned to deliver to Congress.

The chief said enhanced security protocols were already in place at the Capitol.

“We have been on extra alert, and we have been in the days leading up to Election Day,” Manger said.

The investigation is still ongoing.