In a tense episode that unfolded just days before President Trump’s State of the Union address, an 18-year-old from Georgia was detained on the steps of the US Capitol on Tuesday. The young man, identified as Carter Camacho from Smyrna, was found carrying a loaded shotgun, sending ripples of concern through the nation’s capital.

Camacho was reportedly clad in a tactical vest and gloves, accompanied by additional rounds of ammunition, as he sprinted several hundred yards. He had parked a white Mercedes-Benz SUV near the west side of the Capitol Building before making his alarming approach. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan provided these details during a press briefing.

Further investigation revealed a kevlar helmet inside Camacho’s vehicle, adding to the gravity of the situation.

Fortunately, the quick response of Capitol police officers prevented any potential disaster. “Our officers observed the individual, challenged him, and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on the ground, which he complied with,” Chief Sullivan recounted. “He was then safely taken into custody.”

At this point, Camacho’s intentions remain a mystery, and he was not previously known to Capitol Police. Chief Sullivan emphasized the critical role of the officers’ vigilance, stating, “Who knows what could have happened if we hadn’t had officers here standing guard, like they do every single day.”

“Who knows what could have happened if we hadn’t had officers here standing guard, like they do every single day,” Sullivan noted.  

Capitol Police had participated in an “active shooter exercise” in the “same spot” where Tuesday’s incident unfolded just a few months earlier, according to the chief. 

“We do those active shooter exercises every single month – and that’s why we do it,” Sullivan said. 

Trump is scheduled to appear at the US Capitol next Tuesday night to deliver his annual State of the Union address to Congress. 

The police chief said the incident will not impact the high-profile gathering of lawmakers, Supreme Court justices and administration and military officials. 

“We take the State of the Union very, very seriously and this doesn’t change our posture,” Sullivan told reporters “We’ll be prepared on State of the Union night.” 

Capitol Police released a report late last month noting that in 2025 — for the third year in a row — threats against congressional lawmakers increased. 

The department investigated 14,938 concerning statements, behaviors and communications directed against members of Congress, their families, staff and the Capitol Complex last year.