A Capitol police officer sits outside the U.S. Capitol as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security continues, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 17, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
An 18-year-old man ran toward the U.S. Capitol with a loaded shotgun on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) before police arrested him without incident, said U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan.
The motive of the man, who police said was wearing a tactical vest and tactical gloves, was not immediately known. He also had a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask in his vehicle, police said.
Mr. Sullivan said the man arrived in a white Mercedes SUV just after noon and parked near the Capitol, before getting out and running toward the building that houses the U.S. Congress.
Police challenged the man and ordered him to drop the weapon, which he did, Mr. Sullivan told reporters.
The incident took place less than three months after a National Guard member was killed and another wounded in an ambush shooting near the White House.
President Donald Trump is due to deliver the State of the Union address at the Capitol next week.
“We take the State of the Union very, very seriously, and this doesn’t change our posture. We will be prepared on State of the Union night,” Mr. Sullivan said.
Published – February 18, 2026 02:33 am IST
