The man who claimed to be in possession of an explosive device by the Capitol Hill complex has surrendered to law enforcement after hours of negotiation.
The Associated Press confirmed the update Thursday afternoon.
Police rushed into emergency response when a man sitting in a pickup truck without a license plate outside the Library of Congress informed them that he was in possession of a bomb, sources familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. Washington, D.C. police had been investigating the "active bomb threat" and corresponding with the suspect to reach a “resolution” and deescalate the situation, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said at a news conference Thursday.
The man, now identified as a white male from North Carolina, was making “anti-government statements,” NBC News Justice Correspondent Pete Williams reported.
Investigators on the scene had tried to ascertain whether the device was an operable explosive and whether the suspect was wielding a detonator. The man exchanged notes with the police from the inside of the truck to communicate, three anonymous sources told AP.
Manger also updated that the individual had been broadcasting himself on a live-stream. He said officials have a "possible name" for the person but said "we don't have much information about him at this time." The man posted a video on Facebook depicting him holding a package that he admits is a bomb. He reportedly references a “revolution” and expressed discontent with recent events in Afghanistan, a law enforcement official told CNN.
The FBI said in a statement obtained by CNN that it deployed its Washington field office’s National Capital Response Squad to address the threat. Police also reportedly sent snipers to the area.
"The USCP is responding to a suspicious vehicle near the Library of Congress," the Capitol Police tweeted before 10 a.m.
"Please stay away from this area … This is an active bomb threat investigation," the department said.
The building potentially at risk is situated near the Capitol and the Supreme Court. Staffers working in the Jefferson and Madison Library of Congress buildings as well as the Cannon House building received alerts ordering them to evacuate due to the incident, CNN reported. US Capitol Police also evacuated the Supreme Court, where tourists are not allowed to visit now because of the pandemic, a spokesperson for the court told CNN. The RNC, which is close to the truck’s location, was also vacated as a precaution, AP said.
Congress is currently in recess for the summer and most legislators are not in their offices this week.
The White House said it was monitoring the situation and that law enforcement would be updating them on the event.
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