Capitol Police arrest an 18-year-old man after officers say he ran toward the U.S. Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun just after noon on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the suspect parked a white Mercedes SUV near the Capitol, exited with the weapon and ran toward the West Front of the building, the side facing the National Mall.
Sullivan said officers confronted the suspect and ordered him to drop the shotgun. The man complied, put the weapon down and lay on the ground before being taken into custody. Authorities said there were no additional suspects and no ongoing threat to the public.
The arrest prompted a brief security response around the West Front, including warnings for people to avoid the area while police investigated.
What happened at the Capitol
According to Sullivan, Capitol Police received notice of the armed man shortly after 12 p.m. and responded near the West Front. The chief said the suspect’s actions were visible to officers already positioned in the area, allowing them to challenge him quickly.
In an internal alert sent to congressional offices and later described publicly, staff were advised to avoid the area near the West Front during the response and evidence collection. Police also temporarily closed several nearby streets as part of the investigation, according to reports citing that alert and follow-up statements by Capitol Police.
Sullivan credited the officers on scene for acting quickly and for controlling the situation without injuries to the public. He said the outcome could have been different if the suspect had reached the Capitol grounds with the weapon in hand.
Congress was not in session at the time, according to reporting that cited Capitol Police.
What police found and what is known so far
Sullivan said the shotgun was loaded and the suspect had additional ammunition. He said the suspect was wearing a tactical vest and tactical gloves when he ran toward the Capitol.
Officers searching the suspect’s vehicle found a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask, Sullivan said. The chief also said the SUV was not registered to the suspect and investigators were working through multiple addresses associated with him to determine where he came from. Sullivan described the suspect as someone who does not live in the Washington area and was not previously known to the U.S. Capitol Police.
Authorities have not released the suspect’s name. Sullivan said investigators had not identified a motive as of Tuesday afternoon, and he said the investigation remained active.
Capitol Police have video from the scene, Sullivan said, and officials asked the public to provide any additional cellphone footage that could help investigators establish a fuller timeline.
