In a swift and decisive action on Tuesday, officers from the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) apprehended a man who allegedly threatened the life of a Congressional member. The arrest occurred just a short distance from a Senate office building.
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Richard Griffin from Pennsylvania, now faces charges of making threats to cause bodily harm. Authorities say Griffin had issued a threat to kill a member of Congress, prompting immediate law enforcement action.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., the USCP’s Rapid Response Team recognized Griffin from a bulletin that had been circulated by the USCP’s Threat Assessment Section a few days earlier, on October 28.
Griffin was detained outside a Senate office building in Washington, D.C., averting any potential security breach. The arrest site was just outside the Russell Senate Office Building, where Griffin was intercepted before he could proceed through the security screening at its Delaware Avenue entrance.
In a statement, USCP Chief Michael Sullivan emphasized the department’s commitment to safety, stating, “We will not tolerate any threats to the Members of Congress, their families, or staff. Our officers, agents, and professional staff worked relentlessly to bring offenders to justice. We have a zero-tolerance stance when it comes to threats.”
“We will not tolerate any threats to the Members of Congress, their families, or staff,” USCP Chief Michael Sullivan wrote in a statement. “Our officers, agents, and professional staff worked relentlessly to bring offenders to justice. We have a zero-tolerance stance when it comes to threats.”
The U.S. Capitol Police Rapid Response Team recognized Griffin from a BOLO issued Oct. 28. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Griffin has a history of emailing a Congressional office and various government officials and law enforcement agencies, according to officials.
“Today’s arrest is further evidence of the fact that our officers remain vigilant during this heightened threat environment,” Assistant Chief for Uniformed Operations Sean Gallagher wrote in a statement. “We are all proud of the work they do around the clock to keep the Congressional community safe.”
It is unclear if the suspect had any weapons at the time of his arrest. (U.S. Capitol Police)
It is unclear which member of Congress was threatened or whether Griffin had any weapons at the time of his arrest.
USCP did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.
