Man, 26, arrested for attempting to ignite and throw Molotov cocktails at Capitol Police near Union Station in Washington DC
- Capitol Police received a call Wednesday afternoon about a man with a Molotov cocktail near Union Station
- The man tried to light one of several Molotov cocktails he was carrying and threw it at the two Capitol Police, but was arrested
- The two officers “were treated for minor injuries,” Capitol Police’s Sean Gallagher said
- Bernard L. McCutcheon, 26, of Washington DC has been charged with possession of a Molotov cocktail
- He is also charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of assaulting a deadly weapon
- A backpack containing two other bottles of liquid was also recovered at the scene; Police don’t believe Capitol or members of Congress were targeted
A 26-year-old man has been arrested near Union Station in Washington DC after he was found with Molotov cocktails, which he tried to light and toss Capitol Law enforcement.
Bernard L. McCutcheon of Washington DC has been charged with assaulting a police officer twice, once for possession of a Molotov cocktail and once for assault with a deadly weapon.
Police do not believe he targeted the US Capitol or members of Congress, and do not believe he was involved in any protests.
The incident began at 3:30 p.m., when police received a call about a person with Molotov cocktails.
Capitol Police arrived at the scene and McCutcheon threw one of the Molotov cocktails at the officers as he tried to light it.
McCutcheon dropped a second makeshift weapon — made from a tequila bottle, stuffed with a sock and filled with what police described as “a petroleum-based accelerator.”
He tried to flee, but the police arrested him.
A backpack with two other bottles of liquid was also found at the scene.
“Both officers have been treated for minor injuries. Fortunately, everything will be fine,” said Sean Gallagher, acting deputy chief of police for uniformed operations.
“We appreciate their swift action which has undoubtedly kept the community safer.”