BREAKING UPDATE: Man Armed with Shotgun Wearing Tactical Vest Arrested Near West Front of US Capitol Building

An unidentified gunman was arrested near West Front of the US Capitol Building on Tuesday.

Capitol Police told people to avoid the area.

“Our officers just arrested a person with what appears to be a gun near the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building. Please avoid the area,” US Capitol Police said.

Our officers just arrested a person with what appears to be a gun near the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building. Please avoid the area. We will provide more information when new information is confirmed. pic.twitter.com/f9JQPYUq8O

— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) February 17, 2026

“Maryland Avenue is temporarily closed between First and Third Streets, SW, while we investigate,” Capitol Police said.

Maryland Avenue is temporarily closed between First and Third Streets, SW, while we investigate.

— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) February 17, 2026

View from the Capitol were police detained the armed man:

View from the Capitol where police arrested a man with a gun pic.twitter.com/OrR0UHhEXa

— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) February 17, 2026

The Capitol Police provided an update to the incident later Tuesday.

The man was armed with a shotgun and was wearing a tactical vest.

“A gentleman parked…he exited the vehicle with a shotgun and began running up towards the Capitol…Capitol police officers observed this individual, challenged him and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on ground which he did comply with. He was then taken into custody,” the Capitol Police said.

WATCH:

U.S. @CapitolPolice on incident today: “A gentleman parked…he exited the vehicle with a shotgun and began running up towards the Capitol…Capitol police officers observed this individual, challenged him and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on ground which he did comply… pic.twitter.com/7EhRK1hTmL

— CSPAN (@cspan) February 17, 2026