Man Who ‘Smelled Like Fuel’ With Torch and Flare Gun Arrested at US Capitol

Security bike racks stand outside the U.S. Capitol ahead of the Women's March in Washington on Nov. 2. Allison Robbert/ AFP

The U.S. Capitol Visitors Center was closed Tuesday afternoon after a man showed up allegedly smelling like fuel while carrying potential incendiary devices.

“Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC),” the Capitol Police said in a statement posted to X.

“The man smelled like fuel, had a torch and a flare gun. The CVC is closed for tours for the day while we investigate,” they continued. “We will provide more information when we can.”

Congress is not in session, although there is a meeting involving a few members scheduled for the House of Representatives at 5 p.m.

There have been no other reports of threats in Washington.

Security Heightened

Over the weekend, authorities fortified key government sites across the nation’s capital, placing eight-foot-tall anti-climbing fencing around the White House, the Treasury Department building complex, adjacent parts of Lafayette Square, as well as outside the Naval Observatory on Massachusetts Avenue, where Vice President Kamala Harris resides.

In Florida, the same type of fencing has been placed around the Palm Beach County Convention Center where former President Donald Trump will host his election night watch party, not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence.

“The U.S. Secret Service is working closely with our federal, state and local partners in Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach County, Florida, to ensure the heightened levels of safety and security this Election Day,” the agency told The Epoch Times in a statement Monday.

“These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue but are part of wide-ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election.”

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington on Sunday announced road closures, no parking zones, transit detours, and other security measures around Howard University. Harris, a Howard graduate, will be spending Tuesday evening at her alma mater.

In a school-wide message on Sunday, Howard President Ben Vinson said “deep concerns exist about safety stemming from the nature of this highly charged election season.” He said  campus police are working closely with local and national law enforcement agencies to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

“We also ask that you add your vigilance to ours,” Vinson told the campus community. “If you see something, say something.”