A man trying to enter the U.S. Capitol was arrested Friday after police found a hammer in his backpack, according to Capitol Police.
Christopher Snow, 33, was being screened at the Capitol Visitor Center Friday afternoon and “became combative” after a police officer spotted the hammer as his bag went through an x-ray machine and “attempted secondary screening to look inside of the bag,” Capitol Police said in a press release.
“Several officers immediately intervened to stop the suspect,” the release continued. “A struggle ensued. [Capitol Police] officers deployed a Taser to stop the individual and take him into custody. A hammer was found inside the bag.”
Capitol Police Captain Andrew Pecher said the officers “did what they were trained to do and stopped this man from getting into the U.S. Capitol,” per the release.
“Great work from the officer who spotted the hammer, to the officers who quickly took the suspect into custody,” he added.
According to officials, Snow is being charged with assault on a Police Officer.
The incident comes less than two months after Capitol Police announced they investigated over 8,000 threats to members of Congress last year, up from about 7,500 threats in 2022, but down from 2021.
“With the political conventions, member campaigns, and many issues being debated on Capitol Hill, this is going to be a very busy year for our special agents,” Assistant Chief Ashan Benedict said. “Our team is dedicated to putting all of our resources into protecting the Congress while we continue to grow in order to keep up with our expanding mission.”
