U.S. Capitol police arrested an unidentified man armed with an AR-15 in a park near the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, according to authorities.
“USCP Officers just arrested a man with a gun in the park across from Union Station,” Capitol police wrote on X. “At this time we have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat. We are working to gather more information and will put out more details when they are confirmed.”
Capitol police said authorities searched and secured the park and the suspect’s belongings “out of an abundance of caution.” The suspect remained in police custody on Tuesday afternoon amid an ongoing investigation.
Authorities confirmed to Fox News the gun in possession of the suspect was an AR-15 and that they believed he was acting alone.
Due to the heavy police activity, authorities restricted access near the Capitol. They announced road closures along Columbus Circle between Louisiana and Delaware Avenues, NE, and D Street between Louisiana and Delaware Avenues, NE.
USCP authorities also reportedly responded to a suspicious package in the Upper Senate Park and warned staff and other personnel to avoid the area until further notice. It is unknown if the two incidents were related.
The arrest comes three days after authorities apprehended two individuals with firearms after the suspects crashed a stolen car into a barricade near the Capitol.
Police identified the two suspects as Ricardo L. Glass and Onosetale Okojie of Washington, D.C., both 20 years old, who were arrested for several charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and unlawful possession of a machine gun, according to Capitol police.
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In a news release, authorities said on Sunday the suspects were idling at a green light near Union Station in a stolen white Infiniti Q50 when an officer noticed the driver could be impaired. When the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver sped away and crashed into a Capitol vehicle barricade near 1st and D Streets around the northeast side of the city.
Glass and Okojie then ran away from the crash, which happened to be near the USCP headquarters, and attempted to escape until they were captured in the area, according to the news release.
Authorities later searched the stolen vehicle and confiscated two Glock handguns – one of which had a “Giggle Switch” to turn the weapon into a machine gun.
USCP Officers Confiscate Guns, Capture Criminals Who Crashed Stolen Car into Capitol Complex Barricade: https://t.co/p17Fxd7QYL pic.twitter.com/dTmh4w60W4
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) November 6, 2023
U.S. Capitol police said authorities have confiscated more than 30 guns in 2023.
“All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds — even if you have a gun that is legally registered in another state or the District of Columbia,” police said.