Capitol Police Arrest Man Who Smelled of Gasoline at Visitor Center

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Capitol Police on Tuesday arrested a man who tried to enter the Capitol Visitor Center with a torch, a flare gun and documents he said he wanted to deliver to Congress.

The incident occurred shortly after noon, when the man, who authorities said smelled like gasoline, attempted to pass through the screening center at the visitor center.

During a briefing with reporters, J. Thomas Manger, chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, said the man, who has not yet been identified, approached the visitor center slowly and was looking around before officers instructed him to put his backpack on a conveyor belt for screening.

Manger said the man hesitated momentarily before following the instructions of the officer but otherwise was “very compliant” with police.

“As soon as his backpack and his jacket went into the screening area, U.S. Capitol Police officers in the screening area saw what appeared to be something in the shape of a firearm,” Manger said.

He said officers also saw two bottles in the backpack that contained some sort of accelerant that could have been gasoline. 

“We found a flare gun, a lighter and a torch lighter in his jacket,” Manger said. He added that one of the bottles with accelerant found in the backpack was leaking and that’s what caused the strong odor of gasoline that the officers smelled.

Manger said that the man had a large packet of papers he intended to deliver to Congress.

A vehicle belonging to the suspect was later found parked at 9th and Maryland Avenue NE. It was “cleared” by officers at about 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

Police have stopped tours for the day at the Capitol Visitor Center after the incident as they continue their investigation.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue