On Tuesday, a troubling incident unfolded when an 18-year-old from Georgia was taken into custody at the U.S. Capitol. This event took place just days prior to President Trump’s State of the Union speech.
The individual, identified as Carter Camacho from Smyrna, Georgia, sprinted “several hundred yards” from where he had parked his white Mercedes-Benz SUV near the Capitol’s west side. According to police, he was wearing a tactical vest and gloves, and was in possession of additional ammunition.
Inside Camacho’s vehicle, officers also discovered a Kevlar helmet.
Police reported that Capitol officers noticed Camacho, confronted him, and instructed him to drop his weapon and lie on the ground, which he did without resistance. He was subsequently arrested.
The motive behind Camacho’s actions remains unknown to the Capitol Police, who emphasized that he had no prior knowledge to them.
The police chief remarked on the gravity of the situation, suggesting that without the presence of law enforcement, the outcome could have been dire. He noted that earlier this year, Capitol Police had participated in an “active shooter drill” at the same location.
He reiterated the importance of ongoing training for their officers, stating, “We do active shooter training every month. That’s why we do it.”
President Trump is expected to address Congress next Tuesday night during his annual State of the Union. The police chief assured that this incident would not hinder the planned gathering of key figures, including Congress members, Supreme Court justices, and military personnel.
He confidently stated, “We take the State of the Union very seriously, and this will not change our stance. We will be ready on State of the Union night.”
Earlier this month, the Capitol Police released a report indicating that threats against Congress members had risen for the third straight year in 2025. The department reported investigations into nearly 15,000 cases that involved various forms of threats directed at legislators, their families, and the Capitol itself.
