Man Who ‘Smelled Like Fuel’ With Torch and Flare Gun Arrested at US Capitol

The visitors center was closed for an investigation.

Security bike racks stand outside the U.S. Capitol ahead of the Women's March in Washington on Nov. 2. Allison Robbert/ AFP

The U.S. Capitol Visitors Center was closed Tuesday afternoon after a man showed up allegedly smelling like fuel while carrying potential incendiary devices.

“Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC),” the Capitol Police said in a statement posted to X.