Person Arrested Near US Capitol Building

Capitol Police say the individual appeared to have a gun

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Capitol Police have arrested one person near the U.S. Capitol building who appeared to be in possession of a gun. Several streets in the area have been temporarily closed as authorities investigate the incident, though they say there does not appear to be an ongoing threat.

Why it matters

Security around the U.S. Capitol remains heightened following the January 6th, 2021 attack, and any potential threat near the building is taken extremely seriously by law enforcement.

The details

According to Capitol Police, the individual was arrested near the West Front of the Capitol building. The person's identity has not been released. Police say they are continuing to investigate the situation and collect evidence, though they have stated there does not appear to be any other suspects or an ongoing threat to the public.

  • The incident occurred on February 17, 2026.

The players

Capitol Police

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for security and protection of the U.S. Capitol building and grounds.

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What’s next

Capitol Police will likely release more details about the individual arrested and the ongoing investigation in the coming days.

The takeaway

While the situation appears to have been contained, the arrest near the U.S. Capitol highlights the continued need for heightened security around the building and the vigilance of law enforcement in responding to any potential threats.