Police arrest man armed with AR-15 near Capitol

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Police arrest man armed with AR-15 near Capitol

A man found parked with an AR-15 near the U.S. Capitol was arrested Tuesday afternoon. (Mark Meredith / Fox News)

A man found parked with an AR-15 near the Capitol in Washington, D.C., was arrested Tuesday afternoon.

U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) spokesperson Tim Barber said during a press conference that Ahmir Merrell, 21, of Atlanta, is a suspect in the incident, stating that he was in a park near the Russell Senate Office Building with a gun that looked like an AR-15. Merrell was taken into custody after Capitol Police tasered him in the back.

"USCP Officers just arrested a man with a gun in the park across from Union Station," the Capitol Police wrote on X, formerly Twitter, just before 1 p.m. local time. "At this time we have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat. We are working to gather more information and will put out more details when they are confirmed."

Capitol Police confirmed to Fox News that the gun was an AR-15 and the man was arrested. Authorities said he was acting alone. 

Police said the man is a registered sex offender in Georgia who might be dealing with mental health issues. The man didn't state why he was in the park with a gun. Merrell will likely be charged with having a firearm on Capitol grounds.

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Capitol Police arrest a man found in possession of AR-15. (Fox News)

The department had also sent out an alert that Capitol Police were responding to a suspicious package in the Upper Senate Park. It was later determined that Merrell left the bag on a park bench, officials said.

Nothing suspicious was found during an initial search of the bag.

Capitol Police said Tuesday evening that officers were alerted to Merrell's activity after a tip.

"'See something, say something’ is not just an empty slogan. We are grateful for the individual who alerted our officer to the man with a gun in the park," said USCP Chief Tom Manger. "These cops immediately ran toward the man with the loaded gun. As always – I am proud of our cops."

"Staff and other personnel are directed to AVOID THIS AREA until further notice. Updates will be provided when available," the alert had stated at the time.

With the suspect in custody, police said the investigation is ongoing, but the area of the park has since been secured.

Capitol Police were warned of a suspicious package found in the Upper Senate Park. (Fox News)

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"We just searched the area in the park that we secured. Out of an abundance of caution, [we're] going to search the suspect’s belongings. Again, the suspect is in custody. Investigation ongoing," Capitol Police added on X.

Police cordoned off the area near the Upper Senate Park where a man armed with AR-15 was arrested nearby. (Fox News)

Police announced road closures along Columbus Circle between Louisiana and Delaware Avenues, NE and D Street between Louisiana and Delaware Avenues, NE due to police activity.

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In an update just before 2 p.m., Capitol Police wrote on X, "Still investigating. Keep you all posted when the scene is clear. Again, the suspect is in custody. Thanks for your patience as we work to confirm all the information."

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. Fox News' Alexandra Rago, Chad Pergram and Kelly Phares contributed to this report.