WASHINGTON — An 18-year-old Georgia man was taken into custody by U.S. Capitol Police on Tuesday following a dangerous incident where he sprinted toward the Capitol building while wielding a loaded shotgun.
Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan identified the suspect as Carter Camacho from Smyrna, Georgia. According to Sullivan, Camacho left his Mercedes SUV parked near the Capitol grounds and charged toward the building’s west entrance, covering “several hundred yards” while armed before officers stopped him and commanded him to drop his weapon and lie down.
During a news briefing after the incident, Sullivan revealed that Camacho was dressed in tactical gear including a protective vest and gloves. Officers also discovered a Kevlar helmet and gas mask inside his vehicle. Sullivan confirmed the shotgun contained ammunition and that Camacho carried extra rounds with him.
Authorities are still investigating what motivated the attack, including whether Camacho intended to target specific members of Congress, Sullivan stated. Currently, Congress is in recess.
Sullivan mentioned that while the department has recorded footage of the event, they are requesting any additional video evidence from witnesses who may have captured the incident.
“Who knows what would have happened if we wouldn’t have officers standing here?” Sullivan commented, noting that the department had conducted active shooter training exercises in nearly the same location in recent months.
The suspect was previously unknown to law enforcement and is not a local resident, Sullivan explained. According to the chief, the Mercedes SUV was not registered under Camacho’s name, and he maintains multiple residential addresses. Capitol Police have charged him with unlawful activities and possessing an unlicensed rifle, along with violations related to unregistered firearms and ammunition.
This arrest occurred just one week ahead of President Donald Trump’s scheduled State of the Union speech to Congress. Sullivan emphasized that the incident will not alter security preparations for the address. “We take the State of the Union very, very seriously,” he stated.
Criminal activity in Washington has dropped significantly in 2026 compared to previous years. Last August, President Trump issued an emergency declaration for the city to combat crime, resulting in the deployment of over 2,000 National Guard troops along with thousands of federal law enforcement personnel and agents.
These federal officers and agents remain stationed throughout the capital city.
