Man Arrested with Shotgun at U.S. Capitol Wanted to "Talk" to Member of Congress

The 18-year-old suspect was quickly apprehended by U.S. Capitol Police before he could enter the building.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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An 18-year-old man from Georgia was arrested at the U.S. Capitol building on February 17th after he was spotted running toward the Capitol with a loaded shotgun. According to court documents, the suspect, Carter Camacho, told investigators that he wanted to "talk" to a member of Congress. Camacho was quickly apprehended by U.S. Capitol Police before he could enter the building.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing security concerns at the U.S. Capitol following the January 6th, 2021 attack. While Camacho was arrested without incident, the presence of an armed individual near the Capitol building raises questions about the potential for future threats to lawmakers and the democratic process.

The details

Camacho was carrying a Mossberg Model 88 12-gauge shotgun loaded with seven rounds in the tube and one in the chamber. He was also wearing a tactical vest and camouflage-style clothing. When Camacho reached the steps on the western side of the Capitol, a U.S. Capitol Police officer ordered him to halt and lie down on the ground, and he complied.

  • On February 17, 2026, shortly after 12 p.m., the suspect was arrested at the U.S. Capitol building on the Lower West Terrace.
  • Camacho appeared in court on February 19, 2026 and is scheduled for his next court appearance on March 2, 2026.

The players

Carter Camacho

An 18-year-old man from Smyrna, Georgia who was arrested for carrying a loaded shotgun near the U.S. Capitol building.

U.S. Capitol Police

The law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the U.S. Capitol building and grounds, who quickly apprehended Camacho before he could enter the Capitol.

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What they’re saying

“This was handled very well by Capitol police. The shooter in this case was stopped before he was able to get onto the property itself, on the Capitol property itself. But this could have worked out quite a bit differently had they not reacted so quickly and also that he complied with their instructions that they told him to drop the weapon and get on the ground, and he complied with that.”

— Ken Gray, Former FBI Special Agent (fox5dc.com)

What’s next

Camacho faces up to five years in prison if convicted on the charges of committing unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and having unregistered ammunition. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance on March 2, 2026.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing the U.S. Capitol, and the need for vigilance to protect lawmakers and the democratic process from potential threats. The quick response and apprehension of the suspect by U.S. Capitol Police likely prevented a more serious incident.