Gunman, 18, with loaded shotgun arrested after sprinting at US Capitol

by · Mail Online

A gunman arrested outside the US Capitol was carrying a loaded shotgun and wearing a tactical vest, authorities have revealed.

The would-be assailant, Carter Camancho, 18, of Smyrna, Georgia, was spotted when he began running toward the Capitol with his weapon out, US Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Michael Sullivan said Tuesday afternoon.

He was wearing a tactical vest and equipped with additional rounds of ammunition. 

As the young man ran towards the Capitol from its western entrance with his shotgun in hand, police officers challenged him, authorities said, and the suspect complied and was arrested shortly after. 

The 18-year-old is not from the local area and was unknown to authorities before the incident.

Police originally put out a threat warning just after noon local time, noting an incident near the Capitol's Lower West Terrace. 

'Our officers just arrested a person with what appears to be a gun near the West Front of the US Capitol Building. Please avoid the area,' USCP said in a statement.

'Staff and other personnel are directed to AVOID THIS AREA until further notice,' it added. 

The shotgun brought to the Capitol on Tuesday 
Authorities arresting Carter Camancho, 18, of Smryna, Georgia on Tuesday
US Capitol Police gather at a scene outside the US Capitol where a man was arrested with what the police said appeared to be a gun in Washington, DC, USA, 17 February 
A White Mercedes Benz was searched by Capitol Police earlier today

Within 30 minutes, USCP announced they had arrested the suspect.

Maryland Avenue was momentarily closed between First and Third Streets, SW.

The Lower West Terrace is a rarely used space at the Capitol's entrance, facing the National Mall. It is most notably used for the swearing in of presidents and has few other ceremonial uses. 

Images from the scene showed a number of officers standing near the Lower West Terrace with police tape up as authorities investigated. 

Capitol Police said that there are no other suspects at this time. 

The USCP later gave the all clear around 2 pm local time and traffic resumed as normal. 

Lawmakers are in recess this week; most representatives and senators are not in Washington or at the Capitol. 

'The fact that I work in a building that’s such a major target is always in the back of my mind when I’m coming into work,' one hill aide told the Daily Mail. 

'It’s definitely a little unnerving at times, but I’m thankful that the Capitol Police do such a great job protecting us & stopping these incidents before they become a tragedy.'

The Capitol Complex and members of Congress have seen a sharp uptick in threats over the last five years. 

The vehicle, suspected to be owned by the 18-year-old suspect, was towed after the incident
Two Democratic lawmakers have recently been attacked as threats against members of Congress continue to rise  

Recently, Capitol Police released a threat assessment showing that the number of concerning statements, behaviors and communications directed against lawmakers, their families, staff and the Capitol Complex has risen drastically. 

In 2025, the agency investigated 14,938 incidents, a major year-over-year increase from 9,474 in 2024.

Capitol Police has been contacted for comment. 

There have already been two members of Congress attacked this year. 

Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota was sprayed with an unknown substance from a syringe while giving a town hall in Minneapolis. 

Days before that, Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida was punched in the face while attending the Sundance Film Festival. 

The man who sprayed Omar and the man who punched Frost were later charged with assault.