Armed threats to the US Capitol

Overview

An 18-year-old from Georgia ran several hundred yards toward the United States Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun on February 17, 2026—one week before President Trump's scheduled State of the Union address. Capitol Police intercepted Carter Camacho on the Lower West Terrace, where he complied with orders to drop his weapon. Officers found a Kevlar helmet and gas mask in his vehicle.

The arrest arrives amid record threats to Congress—Capitol Police investigated nearly 15,000 threat cases in 2025, up 58% from 2024. Since 2021, the force has expanded partnerships from 115 to over 350 law enforcement agencies and opened regional field offices. The incident tests whether post-January 6 security investments can prevent the kind of deadly breach that killed two officers in 1998.

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Key Indicators

14,938

Threat cases in 2025

Nearly 60% increase from 9,474 cases in 2024, marking a third consecutive year of increases.

350+

Partner law enforcement agencies

Tripled from 115 in 2024 as Capitol Police expanded coordination nationwide.

7 days

Before State of the Union

The arrest occurred one week before Trump's scheduled address to Congress on February 24.

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People Involved

Carter Camacho

In custody, facing multiple charges

Michael J. O’Sullivan

Active

J. Thomas Manger

Retired

Organizations Involved

United States Capitol Police

Federal Law Enforcement Agency

Lead agency for Capitol complex security

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting Congress, its members, visitors, and facilities.

Timeline

July 1998 February 2026

8 events Latest: February 17th, 2026 · 3 months ago

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February 2026
Armed Man Arrested Rushing Capitol With Shotgun
Latest Arrest

Carter Camacho, 18, of Georgia ran several hundred yards toward the Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun while wearing a tactical vest. He complied with orders to surrender. A gas mask and Kevlar helmet were found in his vehicle. Motive under investigation.
February 17th, 2026 • 12:00 PM
January 2026
Capitol Police Reports Record 14,938 Threat Cases for 2025
Data

Threat cases rose 58% from 2024, marking a third consecutive year of increases. The department announced it had tripled law enforcement partnerships to over 350 agencies nationwide.
January 28th, 2026
June 2025
Michael Sullivan Becomes Capitol Police Chief
Leadership

Sullivan, formerly deputy chief of Louisville Police, replaced retiring Chief J. Thomas Manger. He inherited a force managing record threat levels and ongoing security enhancements.
June 30th, 2025
November 2023
Armed Man Arrested Near Senate Buildings
Arrest

Ahmir Lavon Merrell, 21, of Atlanta was arrested in Upper Senate Park carrying an AR-style pistol with 26 rounds. He told officers 'you are going to have to kill me' before being tased. He faced nearly a dozen charges including assault on a federal officer.
November 7th, 2023
August 2021
Truck Bomb Threat Causes Hours-Long Standoff
Threat

Floyd Ray Roseberry parked a pickup at the Library of Congress claiming to have explosives. The five-hour standoff evacuated much of Capitol Hill. No bomb was found. Roseberry later received five years probation.
August 19th, 2021
April 2021
Vehicle Attack Kills Officer William Evans
Attack

Noah Green, 25, rammed his car into a Capitol checkpoint, killing Officer William Evans and wounding another. Green exited with a knife and was shot dead by officers. Investigators cited mental illness and extremist ideology.
April 2nd, 2021 • 1:00 PM
January 2021
January 6 Capitol Attack
Attack

Thousands breached the Capitol during Congress's certification of the 2020 election. Rioters carried firearms, bear spray, and improvised weapons. Over 1,500 people have been charged; more than 900 convicted. Multiple officers injured; some died in the aftermath.
January 6th, 2021
July 1998
Gunman Kills Two Capitol Police Officers
Attack

Russell Eugene Weston Jr. entered the Capitol with a.38 caliber revolver and killed Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson. Gibson fatally wounded Weston before dying. Weston was later found incompetent to stand trial due to paranoid schizophrenia.
July 24th, 1998 • 3:40 PM

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

July 1998

Capitol Shooting (1998)

Russell Eugene Weston Jr., suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, entered the Capitol through the Document Door with a.38 caliber revolver. He shot Officer Jacob Chestnut in the back of the head, then wounded Detective John Gibson, who returned fire before dying. A tourist was also injured.

Then

Two officers died. Weston survived but was found incompetent to stand trial. The Capitol implemented its first modern security upgrades, including magnetometers at public entrances.

Now

Officers Chestnut and Gibson became the first private citizens to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda. Their deaths prompted lasting changes to Capitol security protocols and became a reference point for all subsequent threats.

Why this matters now

The deadliest attack by an armed individual at the Capitol shows what can happen when a gunman breaches the perimeter. The Camacho arrest demonstrates improved interception capabilities developed since 1998.

January 2021

January 6 Capitol Attack (2021)

Thousands of supporters of President Trump breached Capitol barriers during Congress's certification of the 2020 election. Rioters carried firearms, chemical irritants, and improvised weapons. Over 140 police officers were injured. Congress evacuated, and the certification was delayed by hours.

Then

National Guard deployed for months. Temporary fencing surrounded the Capitol. Multiple congressional investigations launched. Over 1,500 people eventually charged.

Now

Triggered the largest restructuring of Capitol security in decades: expanded threat assessment, regional field offices, tripled law enforcement partnerships, and ongoing debates about permanent barriers versus public access.

Why this matters now

The January 6 attack fundamentally reshaped Capitol security. The resources, partnerships, and protocols activated to stop Camacho exist because of lessons learned from the 2021 breach.

August 2021

Library of Congress Bomb Threat (2021)

Floyd Ray Roseberry, 49, parked a pickup truck outside the Library of Congress and claimed to have a bomb. He livestreamed anti-government grievances for five hours while holding what appeared to be a detonator. The standoff evacuated nearby neighborhoods and shut down much of Capitol Hill.

Then

No explosives found, though possible bomb-making materials were recovered. Roseberry surrendered peacefully. He was charged with threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction.

Now

Roseberry received five years probation after his defense established bipolar disorder. The incident highlighted how single actors can paralyze Capitol operations even without functional weapons.

Why this matters now

The Roseberry case established a recent precedent for armed individuals approaching Capitol grounds. His probation sentence—despite hours of threats—may influence how Camacho's case is prosecuted if mental health factors emerge.