An officer has been suspended after U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) allowed a man armed with a gun to enter the building for a tour. The incident marks a significant security failure, prompting mandatory training for USCP officers.
According to a news release, police received a lookout for a man with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. They canvassed the area and discovered he had recently toured the Capitol building. Around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, officers found the man leaving the Library of Congress after taking a tour.
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Officers stopped the man, searched him, and found a 9mm handgun concealed in his waistband.
Police arrested 27-year-old James Faber of Massachusetts and charged him with unlawful activities, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and resisting arrest.
The news release states Faber entered the South CVC checkpoint and the magnetometers sounded. An officer then performed a secondary hand search but ultimately allowed Faber into the building.
That officer is currently suspended, and the U.S. Capitol Police’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an administrative investigation into the officer’s performance of the search, the press release states.
Capitol Police say no one was hurt, and there’s no indication that Faber wanted to harm any members of Congress.
“The USCP demands the highest standards when it comes to screening visitors, so a full review of this incident has already been ordered, as well as mandatory refresher training on security screening, so this never happens again,” the United States Capitol Police said in a statement.
Earlier this month, Capitol Police arrested another man armed with a machete and three knives when he attempted to enter the Capitol to see former President Jimmy Carter lying in state.
