“Isn’t it odd that people break laws with AR15s every time there is a gun control push…”
U.S. Capitol Police arrested a 21-year-old man with an AR-15 rifle outside the Capitol complex Tuesday afternoon.
Police confirmed that the suspect apprehended on the Senate side of the Capitol was in custody after receiving an emergency call around 12:30 p.m. ET.
‘USCP Officers just arrested a man with a gun in the park across from Union Station. At this time we have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat,’ Capitol Police wrote on X.
‘We are working to gather more information and will put out more details when they are confirmed,’ continued the post.
An officer told reporters that the ‘man with an AR-15’ was identified as Ahmir Lavon Merrell. Police do not believe that he had a particular motive or target.
However, Chief Tom Manger said ‘the fact that he was on Capitol grounds, is a concern.’
According to videos from the scene, the suspect – a black man wearing a bright orange sweat suit – was loaded into an ambulance. Police said the man was tased following a standoff with an officer before being arrested.
The man was spotted in handcuffs with his hair and beard full of leaves following his capture. Merrell is from Atlanta, Georgia, and a registered sex offender who has mental health challenges, according to reports.