Armed man arrested near Capitol said he wanted to speak to member of Congress

The man arrested near the U.S. Capitol with a loaded shotgun Tuesday told officers he just wanted to speak to a member of Congress.

Carter Camacho, 18, was stopped by a Capitol police officer as he ran up the west steps in camouflage and full body armor.

Camacho made his first appearance in federal court Wednesday, walking into court wearing the same camouflage pants and shirt he was wearing Tuesday.

The judge told the 18-year-old he was facing one count of unlawful possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds, which carries a penalty of five years in prison. Camacho was ordered held without bond.

Police say just after 12 p.m. Tuesday, Camacho parked a Mercedes SUV on the street near the Capitol and made a beeline for the stairs that lead to the west front.

Perhaps what’s most stunning in this case is the pictures prosecutors included in the charging document, showing him allegedly running toward Capitol grounds with the loaded shotgun. According to the court document, Camacho was holding a loaded Mossburg shotgun with the safety off as he ran up the steps.

A Capitol police officer was able to stop him, asking what was in his hands. The document says Camacho showed the shotgun and then was told to get on the ground.

As he was being questioned, the document says, Camacho told the officers he just wanted to speak to a member of Congress.

When investigators retraced his steps, they found a fixed-blade knife on the ground near where he parked his car.

Capitol police say Camacho is from Smyrna, Georgia, and the vehicle he was driving was registered in Louisiana.

Police say Camacho’s name had never come up in any threat investigation and they had never dealt with him before.

Just recently, Capitol Police had conducted an active shooter drill at the same location where Camacho was arrested.

Congress is not in session.