Capitol Police arrest man with a handgun at north barricade of the US Capitol

Arrest Made at Capitol’s North Barricade Following Handgun Discovery

Security Incident Captured on Video

Capitol Police arrest man with a handgun – Law enforcement officials at the United States Capitol have detained a man after discovering he was carrying a handgun in violation of strict regulations governing the Capitol grounds. The incident occurred on Monday morning at the north barricade, a key entry point to the congressional complex. According to official statements, the individual was identified as Wendell J. Royster, a 67-year-old resident of Columbia, Mississippi.

CNN journalists obtained footage documenting the arrest sequence, which reveals a tense but controlled situation. The video shows six uniformed officers forming a perimeter around a sport utility vehicle. Two of these officers have their firearms extended and aimed at the driver’s side door. A man can be seen stepping out of the vehicle with both hands raised above his head in compliance with officer instructions.

As the situation unfolded, the man walked backward away from his vehicle while the officers gradually lowered their weapons. Additional personnel arrived on the scene to assist with the detention. A team of officers approached the individual and secured his hands behind his back with handcuffs. The entire process appeared methodical and professional, with no signs of excessive force or confusion among the responding officers.

Charges and Legal Details

Capitol Police officials released a formal statement confirming that Royster had been charged with carrying a pistol without a license and no permit. The charges reflect the strict regulations that govern firearms on Capitol property, where unauthorized weapons are strictly prohibited. At the time of reporting on Monday afternoon, Royster’s name did not appear in the Superior Court database, and no attorney had been listed for his case.

According to Capitol Police, the incident began just after 11:20 a.m. when Royster drove a rented Ford Bronco to the north barricade and asked an officer for directions to the Supreme Court. The officer noticed a handgun resting on the man’s lap and took him into custody within two minutes.

Officials further clarified that Royster was not previously registered with their agency. They also noted that “there does not appear to be a nexus to the Congress,” suggesting that the arrest was not connected to any congressional business or personnel. This detail helps distinguish the incident from potential security threats targeting lawmakers or congressional operations.

The Canine Companion

An interesting aspect of the incident involved a dog that was present inside the rented Ford Bronco. The CNN footage captured the animal barking at one of the officers through an open car window after Royster had been handcuffed. The man appeared to engage in conversation with an officer, who then gestured toward the interior of the vehicle, possibly indicating the presence of the dog.

Capitol Police confirmed that the dog was “chained inside the Bronco” at the time of the arrest. Officers demonstrated concern for the animal’s welfare by providing it with water while they waited for animal control personnel to arrive and retrieve the pet. This detail highlights the thoroughness of the officers’ response, as they ensured both the human and animal subjects were properly handled during the incident.

Broader Context

The north barricade serves as one of the primary access points to the Capitol complex, making it a logical location for visitors seeking directions to various government buildings. The Supreme Court building is located nearby, which explains why Royster was asking for directions to that specific destination. The presence of a handgun in this area, while not uncommon in the broader Washington metropolitan region, represents a violation of the strict no-weapons policy that has been in place on Capitol grounds for many years.

This story has been updated with additional reporting to provide comprehensive coverage of the incident. CNN’s Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report, adding valuable context and verification to the events described.

The arrest underscores the ongoing vigilance of Capitol Police in maintaining security protocols while accommodating legitimate visitors to the complex. Royster’s case will likely proceed through the appropriate legal channels, though the exact timeline for court appearances remains to be determined.