Capitol Police on Wednesday arrested a man carrying two Molotov cocktails on a Washington street not far from the site.
According to the authorities, two officers received a report around 3:30 in the afternoon about a person with this type of device on Massachusetts Avenue, west of North Capitol Street.
Officers arrived at the scene and the suspect identified as Bernard L. McCutcheon, 26, of Washington, DC, threw one of the Molotov cocktails at an officer and attempted to flee, but was apprehended by police.
He then threw another bomb, which authorities said in a statement
"was made from a sock-filled tequila bottle and a liquid"
later determined to be a petroleum-based accelerant.
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McCutcheon is charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, one count of possession of a Molotov cocktail and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.
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The officers who attended the emergency suffered minor injuries and were treated.
"We appreciate your quick action which has undoubtedly kept the community safer," police chief Sean Gallagher said.
The target of the shooter is unknown, and according to authorities, there was no indication that he was targeting the Capitol.
