By Lindsay Whitehurst
A man with a rifle was arrested in a park near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, police said.
Police confronted 21-year-old Ahmir Lavon Merrell of Atlanta after someone saw him with the gun in a park near Senate office buildings and told an officer, U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement. Officers demanded that he drop the gun, but he refused and they used a Taser stun gun to subdue him, police said.
The park and roads in the area across from Washington’s Union Station were closed for about two hours as officers searched the area and Merrell's belongings.
Officers said they did not believe there was an ongoing threat. It was not immediately clear why he was in Washington. No publicly listed contacts were available for him, and a lawyer who represented him on a previous case did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said he was proud of officers who “ran toward the man with the loaded gun.”
Carrying firearms is prohibited on U.S. Capitol grounds. So far this year, U.S. Capitol Police have confiscated more than 30 guns.
After the arrest, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he supports a ban on guns often referred to as assault weapons. “We are keeping a constant vigilance on security” in the Capitol, he said.
Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this story.
Some desperate fans who can't find the chile sauce on store selves are paying price-gouging resellers on Amazon, eBay and Walmart.
Members of the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union officially went on strike Friday after negotiations broke down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Cheddar News explains.
Authorities have released the cause of death for Lisa Marie Presley.
The past six months were the deadliest period for mass shootings since at least 2006, according to data.
Police reportedly have arrested a suspect in connection to the unsolved murders of at least 10 people whose bodies were found on Long Island's Gilgo beach over a decade ago.
This Sunday is National Ice Cream Day and to celebrate we've brought in a celebrity-endorsed ice cream brand with some very unique flavors.
Who hasn't imagined winning the Powerball and having your whole life change in an instance? Here to break down how we should smartly handle lottery winnings is certified financial planner Bobbi Rebell.
Disney theme parks are experiencing a significant slump in attendance this summer, resulting in shorter wait times and declining foot traffic. What's bad for Disney though could be an excellent opportunity for families looking to save money on their next summer vacation. Stephanie Opera, director of marketing at Pixie Travel and authorized Disney vacation planner, breaks down how to save.
Actor Kevin Spacey took the stand to testify under oath against sexual abuse allegations in the UK.
The United States has a reputation for having some of the safest tap water in the world. But experts are challenging that reputation after a new study found "forever chemicals" in tap water. Cheddar's Ashley Mastronardi has the story
