A 67-year-old Mississippi man was taken into custody Monday after U.S. Capitol Police spotted a handgun in his lap while he was parked at the Capitol's North Barricade, authorities said.
Wendell J. Royster, from Columbia, Miss., faces a single charge of carrying a pistol without a license or permit, according to a statement from the Capitol Police. The incident unfolded around 11:22 a.m. when Royster drove a rented gray Ford Bronco to the barricade on Constitution Avenue and asked officers for directions to the Supreme Court building.
An officer noticed the firearm in Royster's lap and immediately ordered him to raise his hands, police said. Within two minutes, several officers surrounded the vehicle and arrested Royster. A large police presence was visible near the barricade during the operation.
Inside the Ford, officers found a dog chained up. They provided water to the animal before animal control officers arrived and took custody of it.
Investigators said they believe the incident was not connected to Congress or any legislative activities. The North Barricade was temporarily closed to allow a search of the area following the arrest.
The arrest came as lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill after a weeklong recess. It also followed the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) from an aortic dissection on Saturday night, which added a somber note to the week's proceedings.
This incident echoes a previous high-profile arrest at the Capitol involving an Air Force major who demanded the impeachment of former President Trump and Senator Vance. While that case drew attention to security protocols, Monday's arrest appears to be a routine enforcement action.
The case also comes amid broader debates about police decertification and federal oversight of law enforcement reforms, though the Capitol Police have not indicated any systemic issues related to this arrest.
Royster's legal proceedings are expected to move forward in D.C. Superior Court. The Capitol Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his presence at the barricade and the firearm.
