Police Arrest Armed Man Who Ran Toward US Capitol Building

JAKARTA - Security forces arrested an 18-year-old man who ran towards the Capitol Building, Washington D.C., United States with a gun containing bullets without incident on Tuesday, said US Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan.

The motive of the man, who according to police was wearing a tactical vest and tactical gloves, is not yet known for certain. He also had a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask in his vehicle, police said.

Sullivan said the man arrived in a white Mercedes SUV just after midday and parked near the Capitol, before getting out and running toward the building occupied by US Congress members.

"Police challenged the man and ordered him to drop the weapon, which he did," Sullivan told reporters.

This incident occurred ahead of President Donald Trump's state of the union address at the Capitol building scheduled for next week.

"We take the state of the union speech very, very seriously, and this does not change our posture. We will be ready on the night of the state of the union speech," Sullivan said, launching Reuters (18/2).

The incident comes less than three months after a National Guard member was killed and another wounded in a shooting ambush near the White House.