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A person with a gun has been arrested in a park close to the U.S. Capitol, in response to Capitol Police.
“USCP Officers simply arrested a person with a gun within the park throughout from Union Station. At the moment we’ve no cause to imagine there may be an ongoing menace. We’re working to collect extra data and can put out extra particulars when they’re confirmed,” police mentioned in a press release.
Ahmir Lavon Merrell, 21, from Atlanta, was taken into custody, in response to Capitol Police.
U.S. Capitol Police arrest a person who was in possession of a firearm on U.S. Capitol grounds, Nov. 7, 2023, in Washington.
Alex Wong/Getty Pictures
Police mentioned they had been alerted to a person with a semi-automatic weapon and responded to the park and located Merrell. Police requested him to cease, however he didn’t and was Tasered by a Capitol Police officer. He was later taken to a hospital for therapy after being shocked.
Authorities imagine he’s “coping with some psychological well being points,” Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger mentioned on Tuesday.
Police mentioned they don’t imagine Merrell had a particular menace or goal, nonetheless, Manger mentioned “the truth that he was on Capitol grounds, is a priority.” Police mentioned he’ll preliminarily be charged with having a firearm on Capitol grounds.
Merrell can be a registered intercourse offender in Georgia, police mentioned.
U.S. Capitol Police arrest a person who was in possession of a firearm on U.S. Capitol grounds, Nov. 7, 2023, in Washington.
Alex Wong/Getty Pictures
The park was searched and secured and the suspect’s belongings had been searched “out of an abundance of warning,” Capitol Police mentioned.
Capitol Police shared in a publish on X, previously often known as Twitter, that a number of highway closures had been in impact “attributable to police exercise” and suggested folks to “keep away from the world till additional discover.”
U.S. Capitol Police search a automobile after arresting an unidentified particular person who was in possession of a firearm exterior of the U.S. Capitol Constructing on Nov. 7, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
Alex Wong/Getty Pictures
There’s a heavy police presence within the space and entry is restricted.
The incident Tuesday was the second involving a firearms arrest close to the Capitol within the final three days. On Sunday, two males had been arrested after they crashed a stolen automobile right into a barricade exterior the Capitol. They had been discovered to be in possession of two handguns throughout their arrest — certainly one of which was modified to show the weapon right into a machine gun.
ABC Information’ Allison Pecorin and John Parkinson contributed to this report.
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