Police arrest man with a firearm at north barricade of the U.S. Capitol

Digital Editor

U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man at the Capitol’s North Barricade after officers said he was carrying a firearm, which is prohibited on Capitol grounds.

Wendell Royster, 67, of Mississippi, faces charges after police said he drove a rented Ford Bronco to the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue.

According to authorities, Royster asked police for directions to the U.S. Supreme Court while he had a handgun on his lap.

Officers then ordered him to put his hands up, according to a release from Capitol Police, and a team of officers surrounded the SUV and took him into custody.

He was arrested without incident within two minutes of pulling up to the North Barricade.

Royster faces charges of carrying a pistol without a license and no permit.

A dog was also chained inside the Bronco, officials said, and was retrieved by animal control.