A suspected gunman has been arrested outside the US Capitol.

‘Our officers just arrested a person with what appears to be a gun near the West Front of the US Capitol Building,’ US Capitol Police (USCP) said in a statement.

Cops are continuing to investigate a ‘potential security concern’ on the Lower West Terrace of the building. 

‘Staff and other personnel are directed to AVOID THIS AREA,’ the statement added. 

Maryland Avenue was momentarily closed between First and Third Streets, SW.

The Lower West Terrace is rarely-utilized space on the Capitol’s entrance facing the National Mall. 

Images from the scene showed a number of officers standing near the Lower West Terrace with police tape up as authorities investigated. 

Capitol Police has said that there are no other suspects at this time.  

A view of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on February 6 (file photo)

‘The USCP is continuing to investigate a potential security concern on the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol,’ the Capitol Police said in a follow-up statement. 

‘At this time, there does not appear to be any other suspects or ongoing threat. Out of an abundance of caution, please continue to stay away from the area while we investigate and collect evidence. Again, at this time, one person is in custody.’

The USCP later gave the all-clear around 2pm local time. 

Lawmakers are in recess this week; most representatives and senators are not in Washington or at the Capitol. 

‘The fact that I work in a building that’s such a major target is always in the back of my mind when I’m coming into work,’ one hill aide told the Daily Mail. ‘It’s definitely a little unnerving at times, but I’m thankful that the Capitol police do such a great job protecting us & stopping these incidents before they become a tragedy.’

The Capitol Complex and members of Congress have seen a sharp uptick in threats over the last five years. 

Recently, the Capitol Police released a threat assessment showing that the number of concerning statements, behaviors and communications directed against lawmakers, their families, staff and the Capitol Complex have risen drastically. 

In 2025, the agency investigated 14,938 incidents, a major increase year-over-year from the 9,474 incidents in 2024.

The Capitol Police has been contacted for comment. 

Two Democratic lawmakers have recently been attacked as threats against members of Congress continue to rise  

There have already been two members of Congress attacked this year. 

Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota was sprayed with an unknown substance from a syringe while giving a town hall in Minneapolis. 

Days before that, Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida was punched in the face while attending the Sundance Film Festival. 

The man who sprayed Omar and the man who punched Frost were later charged with assault.