Police charge man for bringing two handguns and a shotgun into Capitol Grounds
Tony Payne, 80, was charged with bringing weapons to Capitol Grounds.
Washington: Police respond to incident at Capitol Hill
A "suspicious van" was cleared after it "illegally parked" on Capitol Grounds yesterday, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) has said. USCP officers arrested the driver after he admitted to having guns in his vehicle.
The small white van was illegally parked along the 100 block of East Capitol Street at around 3.45pm (8.45pm BST).
Tony Payne, 80, from Tunnell Hill in Georgia, was the driver arrested in the incident, police revealed.
USCP's Hazardous Incident Response Division conducted a thorough search and cleared the vehicle.
Officers found two handguns and a shotgun inside the vehicle.
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Our officers responded to 100 block of East Capitol Street for a suspicious vehicle. Please stay away from the area.
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) October 19, 2022
Information is preliminary, so please follow this account for the latest confirmed information. pic.twitter.com/cLO0ikiHMo
A pipe and containers were also found in the van.
Weapons are banned from entering Capitol Grounds.
However, dozens of people are arrested every year for violating the law.
Mr Payne is facing three charges following the search.
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We are still investigating the suspicious vehicle on the 100 block of East Capitol Street. Please continue to stay away from the area.
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) October 19, 2022
We are hoping to put out additional information as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience.
Charges include possessing an unregistered firearm, unregistered ammunition and carrying a pistol without a licence.
A K-9 also "hit" on the vehicle, according to USCP.
The driver, another man and another woman were all detained during USCP's search.
However, the other man and woman were not arrested.
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USCP Clear Suspicious Van, Arrest Driver for Bringing Guns to Capitol Grounds: https://t.co/0ycOFTk9S5 pic.twitter.com/Vbr0Jr5oX9
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) October 19, 2022
The trio claimed they arrived to deliver documents to the US Supreme Court.
Parts of East Capitol Street, First Street and Second Street were all closed while officers investigated the suspicious vehicle.