The United States Capitol Police has just confirmed that they arrested a man outside the United States Capitol building who was armed with a variety of potentially threatening items, including a BB gun.
In a press release posted to their website this afternoon, the US Capitol Police reveals that they arrested 53-year-old Michigan resident Jerome Felipe earlier this morning after he was found on Capitol grounds in possession of “a fake badge, a BB gun, body armor, high capacity magazines, and other ammunition.”
The Capitol Police revealed in their press released that Felipe, who is a retired law enforcement officer himself, approached Capitol Police officials and told them that he was conducting a criminal investigation. He then presented officers with a fake badge that stated he was a member of the “Department of the INTERPOL.”
Once Capitol law enforcement officials determined that Felipe’s badge was fake, they detained the retired police officer and searched his vehicle with his permission. In their search, Capitol Police officials discovered a BB gun, ammunition, and body armor.
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Capitol Police do note that no real weapons or firearms were discovered on Felipe’s person or in his vehicle.
The Capitol Police Department notes in their press release that they are still working towards a motive for Felipe, and determining why he was even outside the Capitol building at all. As it stands, the retired law enforcement official is facing charges of unlawful possession of high capacity magazines and unregistered ammo.
This news comes as the nation still reels over the seemingly corrupt behavior of the Uvalde Police Department during the Robb Elementary School mass shooting last week.
You can read the full Capitol Police press release on the matter here.
Featured image via Flickr/Lorie Shaull, under Creative Commons license 2.0
