An 18-year-old Georgia man was arrested Tuesday on the steps of the United States Capitol after allegedly charging toward the building wearing a tactical vest and carrying a loaded shotgun, according to authorities, as reported by The New York Post.

Carter Camacho of Smyrna, Georgia, was taken into custody after running “several hundred yards” from where he had parked a white Mercedes-Benz SUV near the west side of the Capitol Building, Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said during a press conference.

Authorities said Camacho was wearing gloves and a tactical vest and had additional rounds of ammunition in his possession. A Kevlar helmet was later discovered inside his vehicle.

“Capitol police officers observed this individual, challenged him and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on ground, which he did comply with,” Sullivan said at a press conference. “He was then taken into custody.”

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

MORE NEWS: DOJ Drops Hammer on 36 Illinois Woke School Districts Pushing Gender Madness on Minors [WATCH]

Officials said Camacho was not previously known to Capitol Police, and his motive remains unclear.

“Who knows what could have happened if we hadn’t had officers here standing guard, like they do every single day,” Sullivan noted.

The arrest occurred just days before President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Union address to Congress next Tuesday night at the Capitol.

The high-profile event typically brings together members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, senior administration officials, and military leaders.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Following ongoing debates over border security and immigration policy in 2026, do you support stricter enforcement measures?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from Objectivist.co, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Despite the timing, Sullivan said the incident would not affect security plans for the upcoming address.

“We take the State of the Union very, very seriously, and this doesn’t change our posture,” Sullivan told reporters.

“We’ll be prepared on State of the Union night.”

Sullivan also revealed that Capitol Police had conducted an “active shooter exercise” in the “same spot” where Tuesday’s incident unfolded only a few months earlier.

Close

MORE NEWS: Knife-Wielding Maniac Stabs Jew, Gets Boot to the Head as Leftists Clutch Pearls Over ‘Excessive Force’ [WATCH]

“We do those active shooter exercises every single month – and that’s why we do it,” Sullivan said.

The department underscored broader security concerns in a report released late last month. According to Capitol Police, threats against congressional lawmakers increased in 2025 for the third consecutive year.

The department investigated 14,938 concerning statements, behaviors, and communications directed at members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex last year.

Authorities have not released additional details about potential charges against Camacho. The investigation remains ongoing as officials review the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The quick response by officers stationed at the Capitol prevented what could have escalated into a far more serious situation at one of the nation’s most closely guarded federal buildings.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.