An eighteen-year-old man from Georgia found himself in federal custody after a dramatic incident on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Carter Camacho, of Smyrna, Georgia, allegedly sprinted towards the Capitol building armed with a loaded shotgun, triggering a swift response from law enforcement.
The unfolding scene began when Camacho parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol and immediately began running towards the building itself. He wasn’t empty-handed; authorities report he carried a fully loaded shotgun and extra ammunition, concealed beneath layers of camouflage-style clothing and body armor.
A uniformed Capitol Police officer intercepted Camacho as he ascended the Capitol steps. The officer immediately questioned him about what he was carrying, a question answered by Camacho raising his arm and revealing a Mossberg Model 88 12-gauge shotgun. The weapon’s safety was disengaged, and it was loaded with seven rounds.
Camacho reportedly complied with the officer’s commands, halting and lying prone on the ground. He then stated his intention was simply to speak with a member of Congress, though he did not specify which lawmaker he sought to contact.
A search revealed an additional seventeen rounds of ammunition secured to the shotgun’s stock, and a knife was discovered near his vehicle. The immediate area surrounding the Capitol was temporarily secured as officers investigated the situation.
Camacho now faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds. He was ordered held without bond pending his next court appearance, scheduled for March 2nd, as the investigation continues to unravel the motivations behind his actions.
