Washington D.C. – U.S. Capitol Police arrested an 18-year-old man on afternoon after he ran toward the Capitol building armed with a loaded shotgun. The incident prompted a swift response from law enforcement and raised immediate questions about security at the seat of American government.
The suspect, identified as Carter Camacho of Smyrna, Georgia, was apprehended after exiting a white Mercedes SUV and running “several hundred yards” toward the west side of the Capitol, according to Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan. Officers intercepted Camacho and ordered him to drop the firearm and lie on the ground, which he complied with.
Chief Sullivan detailed that Camacho was wearing a tactical vest and gloves at the time of his arrest. A search of the vehicle revealed a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask. The shotgun was loaded and Camacho was also found to be carrying additional rounds of ammunition. The vehicle itself was not registered to the suspect, and authorities noted he has multiple addresses listed.
“Who knows what would have happened if we wouldn’t have officers standing here?” Sullivan remarked at a press conference following the arrest, adding that the department had recently conducted active shooter drills in the same location. The arrest occurred while Congress is currently on a pre-scheduled recess, meaning lawmakers were not present in the Capitol building at the time.
Authorities are currently investigating Camacho’s motive, including whether members of Congress were specifically targeted. Sullivan stated that Camacho was not previously known to the Capitol Police and does not appear to be a local resident. The investigation is ongoing, and officials have requested that anyone with footage of the incident come forward to assist.
The incident unfolded near the U.S. Botanic Garden, close to the Capitol building. Law enforcement temporarily closed traffic in the area as a precaution, advising the public to stay away. The swift response by Capitol Police underscores the heightened security measures in place following previous breaches of the Capitol, most notably the attack.
Camacho is being held on charges including carrying a rifle without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition, and other unlawful activities, according to a press release from the Capitol Police. The charges reflect the strict firearms regulations in Washington, D.C., and the federal laws governing weapons near government buildings.
The arrest comes at a time of continued political polarization in the United States, raising concerns about potential threats to democratic institutions. While the motive remains unclear, the incident is likely to fuel further debate about gun control, security protocols, and the potential for politically motivated violence.
The U.S. Capitol Police have faced increased scrutiny in recent years regarding their preparedness and response capabilities. Following the attack, numerous reviews and recommendations were made to improve security measures, including enhanced training, better intelligence gathering, and increased staffing. This latest incident will likely prompt another assessment of those measures and potentially lead to further adjustments.
The incident also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing attacks by individuals acting alone. Authorities have indicated that Camacho appeared to have acted independently, making it more difficult to detect and disrupt potential threats. This underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive security measures, as well as ongoing efforts to identify and address potential radicalization.
While the immediate threat has been neutralized, the arrest of Carter Camacho serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that persist at the U.S. Capitol and the ongoing need for robust security measures to protect the heart of American democracy. The investigation will continue to unfold, seeking to determine the full extent of Camacho’s intentions and any potential connections to extremist groups or ideologies.
