On Tuesday, officers from the U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man from Pennsylvania for allegedly threatening to kill a congressman. This incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on November 4, after the department’s rapid response team recognized the suspect based on a “Be Alert” bulletin that had been issued a week prior by the Capitol Police Threat Assessment Unit. They detained him before he could reach the security checkpoint at the Russell Senate Building.
The individual, 43-year-old Richard Griffin, faces charges related to making threats of bodily harm. Investigators revealed that Griffin had sent several emails to a congressional office, which included messages directed at government agencies and law enforcement.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan commented, “We do not tolerate threats of any kind against members of Congress, their families, or staff. Our police officers, agents, and professional staff work tirelessly to bring criminals to justice. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding intimidation.”
Deputy Commissioner for Uniform Operations Sean Gallagher highlighted the importance of such arrests in light of ongoing security concerns. He mentioned, “Today’s arrests further demonstrate that our police officers are vigilant in this heightened threat environment. We all take pride in the continuous work they do to ensure community safety.”
Griffin was apprehended without issues and will face legal actions in Washington, D.C. As of now, U.S. Capitol Police have not responded to requests for additional comments.
