Capitol Police arrest man with a handgun at north barricade of the US Capitol
Capitol Police Arrest Man with Handgun at North Barricade
Capitol Police arrest man with a handgun at the United States Capitol’s northern perimeter on Monday morning. Law enforcement officials detained the individual after discovering an unlicensed firearm in his vehicle. The incident was captured on camera, showing officers responding quickly to the security situation. According to authorities, the presence of a handgun at this location violated Capitol grounds regulations.
Dramatic Footage Shows Arrest in Progress
CNN obtained video footage revealing the tense moments as six uniformed officers surrounded a sport utility vehicle. Two officers kept their weapons drawn and aimed at the man stepping from the driver’s side door. He maintained his hands raised above his head while exiting the vehicle. As he moved backward away from the SUV, officers gradually lowered their firearms. A team then approached and secured his hands behind his back with handcuffs while additional personnel arrived.
Man Identified as Mississippi Resident
Capitol Police officials identified the detained individual as Wendell J. Royster, a 67-year-old resident of Columbia, Mississippi. In an official statement, law enforcement announced that Royster faces charges for carrying a pistol without the proper license and permit. Court records from the Superior Court showed no appearance by Royster as of Monday afternoon, and no attorney was listed in connection with the case.
The events unfolded shortly after 11:20 a.m. when Royster arrived at the north barricade driving a rented Ford Bronco. He approached a Capitol Police officer and requested directions to the Supreme Court building. The officer immediately noticed a handgun resting on Royster’s lap. Within two minutes of this observation, the officer placed Royster into custody.
Additional Details About the Incident
According to Capitol Police, Royster was not previously registered or on file with their agency. Officials further stated that “there does not appear to be a nexus to the Congress,” indicating no direct connection to congressional members or operations. The CNN video shows that after being handcuffed, Royster engaged in conversation with one of the officers, who then gestured toward the interior of the vehicle.
Notably, a dog was observed sitting inside the Bronco. The animal barked at an officer through an open car window. Capitol Police confirmed that the dog was “chained inside the Bronco” and that officers provided water to the animal while waiting for animal control personnel to arrive and retrieve it.
The north barricade serves as a critical access point to the Capitol complex, making this location particularly significant for security purposes.
The presence of an unlicensed firearm at this checkpoint prompted an immediate response from law enforcement. The incident highlights the ongoing vigilance required to maintain security within the Capitol grounds. This report has been updated with additional information from further investigation. Holmes Lybrand of CNN contributed to this coverage.
