Capitol Police arrest man with a handgun at north barricade of the US Capitol
Man Detained Following Handgun Discovery at Capitol North Entrance
Capitol Police arrest man with a handgun – Law enforcement officials detained an individual near the northern perimeter of the United States Capitol building on Monday morning. The suspect was identified as possessing a firearm, an item strictly forbidden within the secure zone surrounding the legislative complex. Visual footage obtained by CNN reveals the moment of apprehension, showing several uniformed officers encircling a sport utility vehicle. Two of the officers aim their weapons at a male figure stepping out from the driver’s door. He raises his arms above his head as instructed while the situation unfolds.
Timeline of the Incident
According to official reports, the sequence of events commenced shortly after eleven-twenty in the morning. Wendell J. Royster, a sixty-seven-year-old resident of Columbia, Mississippi, arrived at the scene operating a leased Ford Bronco. He reportedly approached a security personnel member to inquire about the route leading to the Supreme Court building. During this exchange, the responding officer noticed a pistol resting on Royster’s lap. Authorities confirmed that the individual was taken into custody almost immediately, within a span of two minutes following the initial observation.
The video captured by the news network shows that after being secured, the individual seems to converse with a single officer who points toward the interior of the car. As the man walks backward away from his vehicle, the officers lower their weapons. A group then approaches the suspect and handcuffs his hands behind his back, while additional officers arrive on the scene to assist. The interaction appears calm despite the presence of drawn firearms.
Charges and Court Status
Royster faces accusations of transporting a handgun without the necessary authorization or permit. Court records indicate that he has not yet made an appearance in the Superior Court system, and as of Monday afternoon, no legal representation has been assigned to his case. In a formal declaration, representatives from the Capitol Police clarified the nature of the situation. They noted that Royster is not currently registered in their agency’s database. Furthermore, they emphasized that “there does not appear to be a nexus to the Congress,”