US Capitol Police arrested a 23-year-old homeless man Tuesday after officers caught him with a knife, a brick, and a machete exterior the seat of America’s legislative department.
Jose Leonardo Marquez was charged with one rely of carrying a harmful weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon, in line with a Capitol Police assertion Wednesday.
There is no such thing as a proof that Marquez was concentrating on members of Congress, which is on its year-end vacation break, and it’s not clear what he was doing within the nation’s capital, authorities added.
“That is one other instance of the vigilance and powerful instinct of our USCP officers,” Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger mentioned in a press release.
“I’m happy with our cops who routinely work to maintain everybody across the US Capitol secure.”
Marquez was seen pacing forwards and backwards earlier than sitting down on a ledge on the east aspect of the Capitol, close to a car barricade, at round 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, investigators mentioned.
Marquez’s actions drew the eye of a Capitol Police officer, who spoke with the person for a number of moments earlier than noticing a brick in his pocket.
After Marquez obeyed orders to throw the brick apart, he pulled out a knife and positioned it on the ledge, prompting the officer to name for backup.
At that time, investigators mentioned, the officer noticed a machete deal with beneath Marquez’s clothes.
The cop ordered the suspect to place his hand up, permitting different officers to take the weapon away and make the arrest.
The incident marked the second time in as many months a person was arrested carrying a harmful weapon close to the Capitol.
On Nov. 7, Georgia native Ahmir Merrell was arrested whereas carrying a gun exterior Senate workplace buildings.
Members of the Home of Representatives are set to reconvene on Jan. 9, 2024, whereas the Senate is slated to carry votes on Jan. 8, 2024.