US Capitol Police arrested a 23-year-old homeless man Tuesday after officers caught him with a knife, a brick, and a machete outside the seat of America’s legislative branch.
Jose Leonardo Marquez was charged with one count of carrying a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon, according to a Capitol Police statement Wednesday.
There is no evidence that Marquez was targeting members of Congress, which is on its year-end holiday break, and it is not clear what he was doing in the nation’s capital, authorities added.
“This is another example of the vigilance and strong intuition of our USCP officers,” Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said in a statement.
“I am proud of our cops who routinely work to keep everyone around the US Capitol safe.”
Marquez was seen pacing back and forth before sitting down on a ledge at the east side of the Capitol, near a vehicle barricade, at around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, investigators said.
Marquez’s actions drew the attention of a Capitol Police officer, who spoke with the man for a few moments before noticing a brick in his pocket.
After Marquez obeyed orders to throw the brick aside, he pulled out a knife and placed it on the ledge, prompting the officer to call for backup.
At that point, investigators said, the officer spotted a machete handle under Marquez’s clothing. The cop ordered the suspect to put his hand up, allowing other officers to take the weapon away and make the arrest.
The incident marked the second time in as many months a man was arrested carrying a dangerous weapon near the Capitol. On Nov. 7, Georgia native Ahmir Merrell was arrested while carrying a gun outside Senate office buildings.
Members of the House of Representatives are set to reconvene on Jan. 9, 2024, while the Senate is slated to hold votes on Jan. 8, 2024.