An 18-year-old was arrested after running toward the U.S. Capitol with a loaded shotgun, but officers quickly brought the situation under control. The incident occurred around noon on February 17, 2026, and ended without injuries.
As reported by The Washington Post, a white Mercedes SUV pulled up in the 100 block of Maryland Avenue SW. An 18-year-old man wearing tactical gear, including a vest and gloves, exited the vehicle carrying a loaded shotgun and additional rounds and ran toward the West Front of the Capitol.
Capitol Police officers confronted him at the base of the West Front steps with firearms drawn and ordered him to drop the weapon. He immediately complied, dropped the shotgun, and lay on the ground, allowing officers to take him into custody without incident.
Officers say training helped end the standoff quickly
After the arrest, officers searched the vehicle and found a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask inside. Broader national security attention has also focused on Iran’s nuclear talks. Authorities have not released the suspect’s name and said they will do so once investigators approve it.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael G. Sullivan praised the officers’ response, saying their presence likely prevented a more serious outcome. He noted that the department conducts monthly active-shooter exercises and had recently completed one on the West Front, near where the arrest occurred.
Police said the suspect does not live in the area and has multiple addresses. The political backdrop has also included the Hyatt chairman’s resignation. The vehicle was not registered to him, and authorities have not identified the registered owner.
The motive remains unknown, and investigators are asking anyone with cellphone footage of the incident to share it with Capitol Police. Congress was not in session at the time, and officers began removing yellow caution tape from the area just before 1:30 PM after securing the scene.
Published: Feb 17, 2026 07:30 pm