Apparently Armed Person Arrested Near U.S. Capitol Building

Capitol Police temporarily closed nearby streets as it investigates the area.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Capitol Police arrested an apparently armed person near the U.S. Capitol Building on Tuesday, temporarily closing nearby streets as it investigates the incident.

Why it matters

Security around the U.S. Capitol remains heightened following the January 6th, 2021 attack, and any potential threats to the building and surrounding area are taken extremely seriously by law enforcement.

The details

Details about the arrested individual and the nature of the threat are still unclear, but Capitol Police acted swiftly to detain the person and secure the perimeter around the Capitol complex.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Capitol Police

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the U.S. Capitol building and grounds.

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What’s next

Capitol Police will continue investigating the incident and provide more details as they become available.

The takeaway

This event underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by law enforcement tasked with protecting the U.S. Capitol and the surrounding area, which remains a high-profile target for potential threats.