Security breach at Capitol: 18-year-old held after running toward federal building with loaded shotgun

The US Capitol police detained an 18-year-old man after he ran toward the west side of the Capitol building, carrying a loaded shotgun, prompting a swift law enforcement response.

Authorities said the incident is under investigation, including whether members of Congress were the intended target. The arrest comes a week before President Donald Trump’s scheduled State of the Union address, though officials said security plans remain unchanged.

How the events unfolded

According to Capitol police chief Michael Sullivan, the suspect parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol before exiting the vehicle and running several hundred yards toward the building while armed with a shotgun.

Officers quickly intercepted him and ordered him to drop the weapon and lie on the ground, after which he was taken into custody without injuries.

Sullivan said the shotgun was loaded, and the suspect was carrying additional ammunition.

Police also recovered a tactical vest and gloves worn by the suspect, while a Kevlar helmet and gas mask were found inside the vehicle.

Authorities said they have video footage of the incident and have appealed to members of the public to share any additional recordings that may assist the investigation.

Who is the detainee?

The suspect has been identified as Carter Camacho, an 18-year-old from Smyrna, Georgia.

Police said he was not previously known to authorities and was not from the Washington area. Officials also noted that the vehicle used in the incident was not registered in his name and that he has multiple listed addresses.

Camacho is currently being held on charges including unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of unregistered ammunition, according to a Capitol Police press release.

Preparations and past scares at Capitol

Chief Sullivan said the department had recently conducted active shooter drills in nearly the same area where the incident occurred, highlighting the preparedness of officers on duty. “Who knows what would have happened if we hadn’t had officers standing here?” he said during a press briefing.

The Capitol has seen similar security incidents in recent years. In 2023, Capitol Police arrested an Atlanta man armed with a rifle after he was spotted in a park near the Senate.

Officials emphasised that Tuesday’s arrest will not affect security arrangements for the upcoming State of the Union address, noting that the event is treated with the highest level of security planning.

Federal oversight

The incident comes amid broader discussions around crime and security in Washington DC.

Authorities said crime levels in the city have declined significantly in 2026 compared with 2025, which itself saw a sharp drop from the previous year. Last August, President Trump declared an emergency in the city to address crime, leading to the deployment of more than 2,000 National Guard members along with additional federal law enforcement personnel, many of whom remain stationed across Washington.

Separately, a recent encounter involving US Marshals resulted in the death of a Washington resident after authorities responded to a report of a person allegedly threatening to kidnap and harm someone while armed.

The incident is under investigation, and local activists have called for greater transparency from officials.