Buildings around the U.S. Capitol were evacuated following reports of a possible explosive device in a truck near the Library of Congress.
A man in the black vehicle told police he had a bomb and was holding what looked like a detonator.
The man later surrendered to law enforcement and was arrested after a five-hour standoff with police.
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A man in a black truck outside the Library of Congress claimed he had a bomb
The presence of explosives has not been confirmed.
In previous negotiations, the man had written notes and showed them to officers from the vehicle.
The pickup had no license plates, but officers identified the person who broadcast the incident live.
In a video that has since been removed from Facebook, he said, “The revolution is on, it’s there. I’m trying to get Joe Biden on the phone.”
He said he was “ready to die for something” and added, “If you want to turn me off, get me out, but if the patriots come your ass is in trouble.”
He made anti-government threats and criticized the US position on Afghanistan, health care and the military.
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Police cordoned off the area
From inside the truck, which was filled with coins and boxes, he said the Democrats should resign, but he loved President Biden.
His social media activity suggests he joined Trump supporters in a protest against an allegedly stolen election.
The police said that his motives were unknown.
The area was cordoned off by police cars and barricades, fire engines and ambulances were on site.
The immediate vicinity of the Capitol is currently cordoned off. The officer just confirmed to me that they are investigating a “suspicious package.” There is no sense of panic. The police calmly tell people that the area is closed. This is not uncommon, but vigilance is high. https://t.co/1ZmcT6F5ci pic.twitter.com/EUjErsiBTt
– Mark Stone (@Stone_SkyNews) August 19, 2021
Most lawmakers weren’t on Capitol Hill when much of the complex was cordoned off as the House and Senate are currently on hiatus.
Congressional staff in the Cannon House Office Building were relocated to the neighboring Longworth Building, with people being told to stay calm and use underground tunnels to exit if necessary.
The people in the Jefferson building of the Library of Congress were also evacuated, while the Madison building staff were instructed to barricade themselves in their offices.
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A possible explosive device was reported outside the Library of Congress. File pic
Police said they received a “disturbance” call after the man pulled onto the sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress at around 9:15 am PDT (4:15 pm GMT).
An officer arrived to speak to the driver, who told him he had a bomb because he was holding a suspicious-looking canister.
The FBI and the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police were also involved in the investigation, while the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives dispatched a bomb technician to assist the police.
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Ambulances were among the rescue workers who were on site
Sky News has decided not to name the arrested person.
The incident comes months later Pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol and two pipe bombs were discovered outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic National Committees.
