Capitol police arrest Atlanta man with AR-15 near Union Station

WASHINGTON - U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man with an AR-15 in a park across from Union Station Tuesday afternoon. 

Around 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday, a witness alerted a USCP officer that there was a man in the park who had a gun. USCP investigated and found a man with a gun in his hands in the area of the park near Delaware Avenue and Columbus Circle, NE, walking toward Union Station. 

The officer called for backup, which quickly arrived. After officers told him to stop and he did not, the suspect was tased. 

The park was temporarily closed while investigators searched the area and the suspect’s belongings.

Officials say the suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Ahmir Lavon Merrell. Merrell is a registered sex offender from Atlanta and police records show he has a warrant for a probation violation out of Georgia. 

At this time, USCP says it is not clear what Merrell was doing in D.C. The investigation is ongoing but so far, he has been charged with felon in possession of a firearm, unregistered ammunition, unregistered firearm, fugitive from justice and unlawful activities.

USCP was also investigating a suspicious package in the Upper Senate Park. Officials have issued an all-clear and reopened roads in the area. It is unclear if the two incidents are related but Capitol police say vigilance is what led to the successful arrest of Merrell. 

"See something, say something’ is not just an empty slogan. We are grateful for the individual who alerted our officer to the man with a gun in the park," said USCP Chief Tom Manger. "These cops immediately ran toward the man with the loaded gun. As always, I am proud of our cops."

This year, so far, USCP says it has confiscated more than 30 guns. They remind visitors that weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds — even if you have a gun that is legally registered in another state or the District.