Man asking for directions to Supreme Court arrested with gun at U.S. Capitol

A man has been arrested after driving up to a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol with a handgun on his lap and asking an officer for directions to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to officials.

The incident happened at 11:22 a.m. Monday when the man drove a rented Ford Bronco to the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. and asked an officer for directions to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to U.S. Capitol Police (USCP).

The officer noticed the handgun on the driver’s lap and ordered him to raise his hands. A group of officers surrounded the vehicle and took him into custody without incident, less than two minutes after he arrived.

The suspect was identified as 67-year-old Wendell J. Royster of Columbia, Mississippi, according to USCP. He was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and having no permit. Weapons are prohibited on U.S. Capitol grounds.

Police said Royster was not previously known to the department and there is currently no apparent connection to Congress.

A dog was found chained inside the vehicle. Officers gave it water until animal control arrived to retrieve it.