Man Carrying Torch, Flare Gun Arrested At U.S. Capitol: Police

WASHINGTON, DC — A man carrying a torch and flare gun was arrested Tuesday when he attempted to enter the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, police said.

In a social media post shared shortly before 1:40 p.m., U.S. Capitol police said the man "smelled like fuel" when he was stopped by security for screening. When authorities searched the man, they found the torch lighter and flare gun in his jacket, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said at a news conference livestreamed by WUSA9.

The man was detained after authorities discovered the items, Manger said.

According to police, the man's vehicle was located at Ninth and Maryland Avenue Northeast, which authorities searched and cleared.

Manger said the man told police he wanted to deliver papers to Congress. Neither the U.S. House of Representatives nor the U.S. Senate had votes scheduled Tuesday.

"There’s no indication right now that it had anything to do with the election," Manger said.

The Capitol Visitor's Center was closed Tuesday following the incident, which remains under investigation.