Man arrested trying to enter US Capitol with gun

US Capitol Police have arrested a man who was trying to enter a congressional office building with a handgun in his bag.

“This morning at approximately 7:40 am, our officers in the Longworth Building spotted the image of a handgun in a bag on the x-ray screen,” a police statement said.

In Longworth right now at the US Capitol. The intercom announcement says: “Security Threat, Security Threat.”

The announcement asked everyone in Longworth to go into an office and take visitors with you.

— Em Nguyen (@EmNewsDC) December 9, 2021

Police said the man was “tracked down and arrested” four minutes after the bag was found and was identified as a staffer with the House Chief Administrative Office, Jeffrey Allsbrooks.

Allbrooks told officers he “forgot” the gun was in his bag. He is being charged with carrying a pistol without a license.

Capitol Police sent a security alert to staffer shortly before 8 a.m, warning them to shelter inside the nearest office, remain quiet and stay away from windows.

The lockdown was lifted shortly after with staffers told to return to normal operations. Police said they would continue to investigate what happened “before, during and after those four minutes.” 

The Thursday morning incident is the latest to put Capitol Police on high alert since the January 6 riot, during which hundreds of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the building.