Weapons Found In Man’s Bag At Capitol Hill Screening
A man carrying a machete and three knives was arrested at the Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday afternoon. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Mel J. Horne of Washington, D.C., was stopped during routine security screening at the north entrance.
At approximately 2 p.m., Capitol Police officers conducting X-ray screenings discovered the weapons inside Horne’s bag. Officers quickly detained the suspect and secured the items, which included one machete and three knives.
Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger commended the officers for their vigilance. “It is this constant focus and attention to detail that helps keep this campus safe,” he said in a statement.
The screening checkpoint was temporarily closed while the investigation took place, reopening about an hour later. Despite the brief closure, the public was still able to view President Jimmy Carter’s lying in state, which has drawn large crowds.
Horne faces charges of carrying a dangerous weapon, and investigators are working to determine his motive. Capitol Police emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the Capitol, lawmakers, or visitors.
President-elect Donald Trump is among the high-profile figures expected to visit the Capitol to honor Carter, increasing the day’s heightened security measures.
