Capitol Police arrested a man Tuesday afternoon who was stopped during a screening at the Capitol Visitor Center because he smelled like fuel and had a torch lighter and a flare gun, the department announced.
A 28-year-old Michigan man, who police have not named, approached a screening area and placed a backpack and coat on the conveyor belt at around 12:20 p.m., Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger told reporters at a briefing outside the Capitol Tuesday afternoon.
“As soon as his backpack and his jacket went into the screening area, U.S. Capitol Police officers staffing that screening area saw what appeared to be something in the shape of a firearm,” Manger said.
