New details emerged Tuesday afternoon after Capitol police took into custody an 18-year-old man who was running towards the Capitol with a loaded shotgun and wearing a tactical vest.
Police saw a white Mercedes SUV parked in the 100 block of Maryland Avenue, just west of the Capitol steps, shortly after noon eastern time, Chief Michael Sullivan of the U.S. Capitol Police told reporters.
Police saw a person exit the car and run toward the Capitol steps with the shotgun, CNN's Brian Todd relayed to viewers. They ordered him to drop to the ground and give up his weapon. He then got on the ground, put down the shotgun, and was taken into custody.
The suspect was apparently wearing tactical gloves and had other rounds on him. Police found a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask inside his vehicle.
The suspect's name was not immediately released. He was described as an 18-year-old who does not live in the area, and was not known to police.
The motive was still under investigation.
U.S. @CapitolPolice on incident today: "A gentleman parked...he exited the vehicle with a shotgun and began running up towards the Capitol...Capitol police officers observed this individual, challenged him and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on ground which he did comply… pic.twitter.com/7EhRK1hTmL
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 17, 2026