US ELECTIONS 2024

Police arrest man at US Capitol with flare gun and torch: What we know about the situation in Washington

Tensions rose at the U.S. Capitol as authorities apprehended a man wielding a flare gun and a torch. Here’s everything you need to know about the unfolding situation in Washington.

ELIZABETH FRANTZREUTERS

*This is a developing story

Police in Washington, D.C., have taken a man into custody who was found with a flare gun and torch outside the U.S. Capitol building. Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, but it has drawn attention as tensions escalate on Election Day. In the aftermath of the January 6th, 2021, events at the Capitol, law enforcement agencies have heightened security measures in preparation for potential unrest during the election period.

The U.S. Capitol Police shared a post with a description of what took place shortly after police made the arrest. “Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC),” reads the post. The police added that the suspect “smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun.”

As a safety precaution, the CVC has been closed for the day. The authorities also said that they would make additional comments when they had more information to provide to the public.

Bomb threats called in at two polling locations in Georgia

This is not the only incident of this nature to take place today. At two polling locations in Georgia, bomb threats were called in and law enforcement authorities said that they found that the origins were of Russian origin. No additional evidence was provided. The polling locations were closed temporarily, but have since reopened.

*This is a developing story