(DCWatchdog.com) – In a threatening incident against the backdrop of recent pro-Islamist terrorist protests in the nation’s capital, the US Capitol Police tased, subdued, and arrested a gunman with an oddly modified rifle, who turned out to be a wanted registered sex offender near the US Senate office building in Washington, DC.
The incident, which occurred in a park opposite Union Station on Tuesday, prompted a swift response from authorities after a 12:40 p.m. report of an individual with a “long gun.”
The man, identified as 21-year-old Ahmir Lavon Merrell of Atlanta, was non-compliant when officers commanded him to drop his weapon, leading to his tasering and arrest, The New York Post reports.
Merrell, a registered sex offender with an outstanding warrant for a probation violation in Georgia, was attired in a sweatsuit adorned with the “Boominati Worldwide” logo, a nod to the record label by rap producer Metro Boomin.
Merrell’s arrest in the vicinity of Senate office buildings resulted in temporary road closures and advisories to Congress, staff, and the press to steer clear of Upper Senate Park.
The area was reopened after a thorough inspection of Merrell’s backpack by bomb technicians.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said the detainee’s intentions remained unclear.
“Based on our officers’ limited contact and limited conversation with Mr. Merrell, there is some indication that he may be dealing with some mental health issues, but we don’t know that. We don’t know why he was in the park with a gun. He made no statements as to why he was here or what he intended to do. Again, it’s still an ongoing investigation,” Manger disclosed.
Despite the uncertainty of Merrell’s motives, no continuing threat to the Capitol complex was perceived. He faces multiple charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying unregistered weapons and ammunition.
“‘See something, say something’ is not just an empty slogan. We are grateful for the individual who alerted our officer to the man with a gun in the park,” Manger said.
“These cops immediately ran toward the man with the loaded gun. As always — I am proud of our cops,” the Capitol police chief added.
Washington, DC, bans public firearm possession, and Capitol grounds are a gun-free zone.
This incident occurred amidst heightened security concerns in Washington, DC, following Saturday’s vast leftist and Muslim rally supporting Palestinian terror group Hamas after its recent attack on Israel.
🚨#UPDATE: Here is a clear photo of the Male suspect that was carrying the weapon outside the US Capitol near the senate building pic.twitter.com/Uh53xWET6F
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 7, 2023
