Armed 18-year-old in body armor arrested at US Capitol steps
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Georgia man arrested while running into the U.S. Capitol carrying a loaded firearm told authorities he wanted to speak to a member of Congress, according to court records.
Carter Camacho, 18, appeared in federal court Wednesday and was ordered held without bail.
Camacho, of Smyrna, Georgia, parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol, got out and ran toward the building with a loaded shotgun and additional bullets, authorities said.
INVESTIGATORS Seek Motive for Georgia Man Allegedly Ran Towards Capitol Building with Loaded Shotgun
Police have identified the gunman who was arrested earlier Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., as Carter Camacho, of Smyrna, Georgia. Camacho allegedly told authorities he only wanted to speak to a member of Congress. (USCP)
The man was wearing body armor and camouflage-style clothing, according to the documents.
As he climbed the building’s stairs, a uniformed U.S. Capitol Police officer asked Camacho what he was carrying. Camacho raised his right arm and grasped the firearm, which turned out to be a Mossberg Model 88 12-gauge shotgun, federal prosecutors said.
TRUMP’S MOTORCYCLE ROUTE WAS ADJUSTED AFTER SECRET SERVICE FOUND A ‘SUSPICIOUS OBJECT’ AT PALM BEACH AIRPORT
Police have identified Carter Camacho, of Smyrna, Georgia, as the gunman who was previously arrested at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. (USCP)
He complied with orders to stop and lie down on the ground.
“He also told USCP officers that he was only there to speak with a Member of Congress,” court records state. The statement is included.
Court documents did not say whether Camacho was referring to a specific lawmaker.
Authorities said the shotgun was loaded with seven bullets and the safety was off. An additional 17 rounds of ammunition were stored in a carrier attached to the gun stockpile, officials said.
Carter Camacho was allegedly seen with a shotgun near the US Capitol. (Ministry of Justice)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Officers found a knife near Camacho’s vehicle. area outside the Capitol It was later cleaned and reopened.
Camacho is charged with illegal possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds. The next hearing date is March 2.
