Washington
US Capitol Police arrested a man on Election Day after he attempted to enter the Capitol building carrying a torch, a flare gun, and containers with a gasoline-like odor, US Capitol Police said on social media platform X on Wednesday.
The arrest occurred at the Capitol Visitor Centre, where officers stopped the man during a routine screening. Upon inspection, the suspect was found to have a flare gun and a torch, as well as two containers that smelled like gasoline. Authorities have not specified the man’s intentions.
Following the arrest, investigators tracked the suspect’s vehicle, which was located at 9th and Maryland Avenue in Washington, D.C., and cleared the area for further investigation.
The Capitol Visitor Centre was closed for tours while authorities continued their probe.
This incident comes on the heels of heightened security concerns surrounding the 2024 US elections, which are seen as one of the most divisive in recent history. The fear of violence has been prevalent, with an annual survey by the American Psychological Association revealing that over 70% of Americans worry the election results could lead to unrest.
The January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, where supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the building, further intensified the need for security measures during this year’s election.
