United States Capitol Police (USCP) Monday morning arrested a 67-year-old Mississippi man at the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue after he approached the barricade in a rented Ford Bronco with a handgun in his lap.
The incident happened around 11:22 a.m., the same day the Senate reentered session after a break. As an officer fielded a question from the man about directions to the Supreme Court, he noticed the gun. Firearms are not allowed on the Capitol Grounds.
Authorities took the individual, identified as Wendell J. Royster of Columbia, Mississippi, into custody without incident.
“The officer noticed a handgun on the driver’s lap, so the officer ordered the man to put up his hands,” a statement read. “A team of USCP officers surrounded the SUV and took the driver into custody. The driver was arrested without incident within two minutes of pulling up to the North Barricade.”
Capitol Police did not immediately return a request for comment.
Royster faces charges for carrying a pistol without a license or permit. Royster was previously unknown to USCP. There does not appear to be a connection to the incident and Congress.
A dog chained inside Royster’s Bronco was provided with water by USCP officers until animal control officers retrieved it.
Monday’s event unfolded without any reported injuries or broader threat to the public. Officers diverted pedestrians while investigators responded, and the barricade remained closed temporarily as the situation was resolved
“Who knows what would have happened if we wouldn’t have officers standing here?”Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said during a press conference at the time.
“Our officers know they cannot let their guard down for one second,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said in the statement after that incident.
“The USCP has enhanced our staffing within our Dignitary Protection Division as well as coordinated for enhanced security for Members of Congress outside of the National Capitol Region,” USCP announced when the field offices were added. “The Department is also in the process of opening Regional Field Offices in California and Florida with additional regions in the near future to investigate threats to Members of Congress.”
The USCP, established in 1828, is responsible for protecting Congress and the Capitol complex.
