USA13 July, 20262 min read
Capitol Police Arrest Wendell J. Royster With Gun At North Barricade
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
67-year-old Wendell J. Royster from Mississippi arrested at North Barricade with firearm. Officers spotted handgun in his lap; he arrived in a gray Ford Bronco; barricade closed.
Gun at North Barricade
U.S. Capitol Police arrested Wendell J. Royster, a 67-year-old from Columbia, Mississippi, after investigators said he drove a rented Ford Bronco to the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue and asked a U.S. Capitol Police officer for directions to the U.S. Supreme Court.
WTOK reported that just before 11:30 a.m. Monday, investigators said the officer noticed a gun on Royster’s lap, ordered him to put up his hands, and officers surrounded the SUV and arrested him.
Patch said the incident occurred at about 11:22 a.m. Monday, when a man driving the rented Ford Bronco pulled up to the North Barricade and asked an officer for directions to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Patch added that Royster was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possessing a firearm without a permit, and that Capitol Police said firearms are prohibited on U.S. Capitol Grounds.
Officer notices handgun
FOX 5 DC said Royster drove up in the rented Ford around 11:22 a.m. and asked a USCP officer for directions to the U.S. Supreme Court, and that the officer ordered Royster to put his hands up after noticing a handgun on his lap.
Newsweek reported that USCP said the suspect was arrested at the North Barricade, with photos showing a police cordon and multiple emergency vehicles surrounding a gray Ford Bronco.
Newsweek quoted a USCP spokesperson saying, "Firearms are prohibited on Capitol Grounds," and also quoted USCP saying, "The North Barricade will be closed while the USCP investigates."
Newsweek further stated that Royster was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and no permit, and that a dog found inside the car was given water by officers until animal control reached the scene.
Investigation and charges
Capitol Police told Patch that Royster was arrested less than two minutes after arriving at the barricade, and Patch said Royster was not previously known to the department and that there does not appear to be any connection between him and members of Congress. WTOK said Royster was facing a gun charge after driving up to the North Barricade with a handgun, and it reported that he was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and no permit.
Patch said the case will proceed through the District of Columbia court system, while Newsweek said USCP sent out an alert asking staff and other personnel to avoid the area while officers dealt with the incident. Newsweek also reported that footage captured by CNN showed police pointing firearms at the vehicle, with the suspect with his arms raised backing away from the driver's side of the vehicle before being handcuffed.