Capitol Police Arrest Man with Molotov Cocktails Near Union Station
WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police officers arrested a 26-year-old Washington man on Tuesday who was spotted carrying Molotov cocktails in the vicinity of Union Station.
According to a release from the department, patrol officers received a report at about 3:30 p.m. that an individual carrying the homemade explosive devices was walking along Massachusetts Avenue, NW, just west of North Capitol Street.
The suspect, who has since been identified as Bernard McCutcheon, tried to light one of the Molotov cocktails as the officers approached, and when it failed to ignite, he threw it at them and began to run away.
After the officers caught up with him, McCutcheon dropped the other Molotov cocktail that had been in his possession.
It was made with a tequila bottle stuffed with a sock and a liquid later determined to be a petroleum based accelerant by the USCP Hazardous Material Response team.
“Both of our officers were treated for minor injuries. Thankfully they are going to be okay,” said acting Assistant Chief of Police for Uniformed Operations Sean Gallagher. “We appreciate their quick action that, without a doubt, kept the community safer.”
A backpack that had two other bottles of liquid were also recovered at the scene.
There is no indication the man was targeting the U.S. Capitol or members of Congress. It is also not believed the suspect was involved in any protests in the area.
McCutcheon was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, one count possession of Molotov cocktail, and one count assault with a deadly weapon.
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, D.C. Fire & EMS, and the ATF’s Washington Field Office also responded to the scene.