United States Capitol Police arrest armed individual near Capitol entrance

WASHINGTON, DC: The US Capitol Police arrested a person who appeared to be carrying a firearm near an entrance to the US Capitol Building on Tuesday, February 17.

The arrest occurred near the West Front, prompting Capitol Police to alert congressional offices and post a warning on X, urging people to avoid the area.

No ongoing threat, police say

First the Capitol Police issued an alert on x, “Our officers just arrested a person with what appears to be a gun near the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building. Please avoid the area. We will provide more information when new information is confirmed.”

About 20 minutes after the initial alert, Capitol Police said there was no indication of additional suspects or an active threat.

“At this time, there does not appear to be any other suspects or ongoing threat,” the agency said, adding that officers were continuing to investigate and collect evidence. “One person is in custody.

Strict weapons ban on Capitol Grounds

Firearms and other dangerous items, including explosives and drones, are prohibited on Capitol Grounds. According to Capitol Police guidance, weapons are not permitted even if they are legally registered elsewhere.

“Even if you have a firearm that is legally registered in another state or the District of Columbia, it is still illegal to bring it onto Capitol Grounds,” the agency states on its website.

Veteran congressional reporter Jamie Dupree shared a photograph from the scene on X showing multiple officers and yellow caution tape near the arrest site. “View from the Capitol where police arrested a man with a gun,” he wrote.

The incident comes just two weeks after Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison for an attempted assassination plot against President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election, underscoring heightened security concerns around federal buildings.