US Capitol Police restrain man with firearm, flare gun and torch

By means of Dominic Genetti

Source Midland Daily News, Mich.

A man was arrested Tuesday at the US Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC, after authorities searched his backpack and found a torch, flare gun and firearm.

The incident occurred around noon Eastern and U.S. Capitol Police took the man into custody.

At a late afternoon news conference, U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said security investigators at the visitors center smelled gasoline on the person, described as a white man. A torch lighter was also found in the man’s jacket, and authorities located his vehicle several blocks away.

“He had papers with him that he said he wanted to deliver to Congress. We’re still going through all those papers – there’s quite a few – trying to determine where he actually came from,” Manger said. said. “As he approached the Capitol Visitor Center, he was walking quite slowly and looking around. As he entered the CVC, he was seen looking around, looking up to the left, to the right.”

Manger added that the man is being interviewed and the investigation is ongoing.

Due to the incident, the US Capitol Visitor Center will be closed for the rest of the day.

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