On Tuesday, U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man at the U.S. Capitol who was found to have a torch, a flare gun, and smelled of fuel. The man, described as a White male in his late-20s, had driven overnight from Michigan to the Capitol. During the security screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), officers detected a strong odor of gasoline emanating from the suspect's clothes, which were also wet. The suspect was immediately apprehended, and his belongings, including a blow torch and flammable liquids, were confiscated.
Authorities discovered that the suspect had a 25-page manifesto with him, which he intended to deliver to Congress. However, Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger stated that it was unclear what the suspect's exact intentions were. The suspect's vehicle was located several blocks away and seized as part of the ongoing investigation.
Chief Manger emphasized that there was no indication of the incident being related to the election. He also mentioned that the suspect appeared to be acting alone and was not previously on the U.S. Capitol Police's radar. The suspect, who was compliant during the arrest, is currently being interviewed by investigators.
Following the arrest, the Secret Service announced heightened security measures in Washington, D.C., erecting barriers around key locations such as the White House and the Treasury Department. Similar precautions were taken by private businesses in major cities like New York and Portland, with storefronts being boarded up as a precautionary measure.
As the investigation into the incident at the U.S. Capitol continues, law enforcement agencies are maintaining vigilance and enhancing security protocols to ensure the safety of government facilities and the public.
