• An 18-year-old named Carter Camacho was arrested while running towards the U.S. Capitol with a loaded shotgun.
• Camacho was wearing a tactical vest and gloves, with additional ammunition found in his vehicle.
• The motive behind his actions remains under investigation; authorities are determining if Congress was targeted.
• The incident occurred just a week before President Trump's State of the Union address, though security plans remain unchanged.
• No prior history with Capitol Police; the vehicle used was not registered to him.

U.S. Capitol Police arrested an 18-year-old man identified as Carter Camacho from Smyrna, Georgia, after he ran towards the Capitol Building armed with a shotgun on Tuesday. Police Chief Michael Sullivan reported that Camacho parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol and ran “several hundred yards” before being stopped by officers, who ordered him to put down the firearm, which he complied with, laying on the ground until taken into custody. The suspect was wearing a tactical vest and gloves at the time of the arrest, according to CBS News and South China Morning Post.

Authorities discovered that the shotgun was loaded, and Camacho had additional rounds. His vehicle, parked nearby, contained a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask, indicating a possible intent to engage in serious unlawful activity. The police have stated that they are investigating the motive behind his actions, including whether any members of Congress were potential targets, especially since Congress was not in session at that time, as reported by Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.

Capitol Police Chief Sullivan emphasized the importance of having officers on site, noting, “Who knows what would have happened if we wouldn’t have officers standing here?” He also mentioned that the department had recently conducted active shooter drills in almost the same area, underscoring the preparedness of law enforcement in such critical locations, as mentioned in reports from CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

Camacho is facing multiple charges, including unlawful activities and possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition. Capitol Police have indicated that the suspect had no prior interactions with them and had multiple addresses, raising further questions about his behavior, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.