Who is Carter Camacho? Teen armed with shotgun and tactical vest arrested near US Capitol with extra ammunition

Teen armed with shotgun, wearing tactical vest arrested near US Capitol

An 18-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after he ran toward the US Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun while wearing a tactical vest and gloves. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the suspect complied with officers’ commands to drop the weapon and lie on the ground before being taken into custody on the West Front of the Capitol.

“The individual was challenged by United States Capitol Police officers in order to drop the weapon, which he did comply with. He laid down the weapon and then laid down on the ground and was taken into custody,” Sullivan said.

Authorities recovered additional ammunition from the suspect, identified as Carter Camacho of Smyrna, Georgia, and searched his white Mercedes SUV, finding a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask. Sullivan said Camacho is not from the Washington, D.C., area, was previously unknown to law enforcement, and appears to have used multiple addresses.

Officials have not confirmed a motive, and the investigation is ongoing. “Who knows what would have happened if we hadn’t had officers standing here?” Sullivan said, noting that the department recently conducted active-shooter drills at nearly the same location.

The arrest occurred while Congress is on recess, though staff continue working at the Capitol. It comes a week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address, a period when Capitol security is heightened. Sullivan emphasized that the incident does not affect preparations for the State of the Union.

Capitol Police continue to review video footage and have asked the public to share any recordings of the incident. The department also highlighted a rise in threats against lawmakers in recent years, with 2025 marking the third consecutive year of increased threats related to Congress.