Man with shotgun running towards US Capitol building arrested by police

On February 18, 2026, police arrested Carter Camacho, an 18-year-old from Georgia, as he ran towards the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Camacho was armed with a loaded shotgun and extra ammunition, and was wearing a tactical vest and gloves. He was intercepted by police "several hundred yards" from the Capitol, and complied with orders to drop his weapon and surrender. Police found a gas mask and Kevlar helmet in his vehicle parked nearby. Camacho faces charges including unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, and possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition. The suspect was not known to authorities and the motive is under investigation, including whether Congress was the target.

On Tuesday, US Capitol Police arrested an 18-year-old man who ran towards the west side of the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., armed with a loaded shotgun. The man, who remains unidentified, exited a parked Mercedes SUV and ran "several hundred yards" before being stopped by officers. He was wearing a tactical vest and gloves, and a Kevlar helmet and gas mask were found in his vehicle. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan stated that the man also had additional rounds of ammunition on his person. The motive is currently under investigation, including the possibility of targeting members of Congress, though Congress is not currently in session. Police are seeking additional video footage from the public.