Man Arrested At Capitol Smelling Like Fuel And Carrying Torch And Flare Gun

A man was arrested at the U.S. Capitol today after he was stopped at the visitor center smelling like fuel and carrying a torch and a flare gun, Capitol Police said.

The Capitol Visitor Center was closed for the day while police investigate. No other details were released.

The incident occurred as Washington, D.C. is on heightened alert for today’s election through January 6th and the inauguration, with additional fencing places around the Capitol, the White House complex and the Naval Observatory, the home of Vice President Kamala Harris. Businesses near the White House were boarded up today as a precaution should there be civil unrest.

The White House had an additional security perimeter put in place due to the unrest following the killing of George Floyd in 2020. The perimeter was put in place during the 2020 election as well. An additional security barrier also was installed around the Capitol following the January 6th attack on the complex, and remained in place through the inauguration and for weeks afterward.