Print
Close
Armed Georgia man arrested at US Capitol told police he wanted to 'talk' to Congress: docs
By Louis Casiano
Published February 19, 2026
The Georgia man who was arrested while carrying a loaded gun and running onto the U.S. Capitol grounds told authorities he wanted to talk to a member of Congress, according to court records.
Carter Camacho, 18, appeared in federal court Wednesday and was ordered held without bond.
Camacho of Smyrna, Georgia, parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol, exited and ran toward the building carrying a loaded shotgun and additional rounds of ammunition, authorities said.
INVESTIGATORS SEEK MOTIVE AFTER GEORGIA MAN ALLEGEDLY RAN TOWARD CAPITOL WITH LOADED SHOTGUN
Police identified Carter Camacho of Smyrna, Georgia, as the armed person arrested Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Camacho allegedly told authorities he just wanted to talk to a member of Congress. (USCP)
He was wearing body armor and camouflage-style clothing, documents state.
As he climbed up the stairs to the building, a uniformed U.S. Capitol Police officer asked Camacho what he was carrying. Camacho raised his right arm and clutched a gun, a Mossberg Model 88 12-guage shotgun, federal prosecutors said.
Police identified Carter Camacho of Smyrna, Ga., as the armed person arrested at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (USCP)
He complied with orders to halt and get on the ground.
"He also told USCP officers he was just there to talk to a Member of Congress," court records state.
Court documents did not say if Camacho mentioned a specific lawmaker.
The shotgun was loaded with seven rounds and the safety was off, authorities said. An additional 17 rounds of ammunition were stored in a carrier attached to the stock of the weapon, authorities said.
Carter Camacho was allegedly spotted with a shotgun near the U.S. Capitol. (Justice Department)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Near Camacho's vehicle, officers found a knife. The area outside the Capitol was later cleared and reopened.
Camacho was charged with unlawful possession of a gun on Capitol grounds. His next court date is March 2.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/armed-georgia-man-arrested-us-capitol-told-police-he-wanted-talk-congress-docs