21-Year-Old Man With Assault Rifle Arrested Near U.S. Capitol: Cops
Capitol Police closed off surrounding roads and all doors to Senate buildings.
Kevin Wurm/Reuters
A man with gun near the U.S. Capitol building was taken into custody early Tuesday afternoon, Capitol Police said. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger identified the suspect as 21-year-old Ahmir Lavon Merrell of Atlanta at a Tuesday afternoon press conference, with a witness describing him to NBC News as a tall Black man wearing an orange jumpsuit. He explained that the gun appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon with a similar appearance to an AR-15. Manger said Merrell will be charged with possessing a firearm on Capitol grounds, but it remains unclear if there will be any additional charges. The police chief stated that officers were first alerted to an armed man nearby, but when they ordered him to stop, he refused. One officer used a stun gun on the man's back and took him into custody, according to Manger.
USCP Officers just arrested a man with a gun in the park across from Union Station. At this time we have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat. We are working to gather more information and will put out more details when they are confirmed.
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) November 7, 2023
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