Capitol police detail arrest of shotgun-toting young man

U.S. Capitol Police identified Carter Camacho, 18, of Smyrna, Ga., as the man they accuse of running toward the Capitol building with a loaded shotgun on Tuesday. Camacho surrendered to police and was arrested without firing a shot after officers surrounded him, according to a Tuesday statement from police. Officers found a gas mask and helmet inside the suspect’s vehicle, which was left nearby, in front of the U.S. Botanic Garden on Maryland Avenue, they said. Camacho was also wearing a tactical-style vest at the time of his arrest, according to police.

The suspect’s firearm and extra ammunition were both unregistered, police said. Camacho was not previously on file with Capitol Police. Officers were investigating to determine a possible motive for his actions, they said.

Officers performed an active threat training exercise last summer on the west front area of the Capitol grounds, the location where they later arrested the suspect, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said in the news release. Monthly exercises in various areas of the complex primed officers to respond quickly, he said.

What charges does Camacho face? He is charged with unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, and possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition. He could face penalties of at least five years in prison, along with fines, if convicted. He is considered legally innocent until proven guilty.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s earlier report on the incident.