BREAKING: Capitol Police Arrest Man Carrying Torch and Flare Gun Who ‘Smelled Like Fuel’

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

U.S. Capitol Police on Tuesday arrested a man at Capitol Visitor Center carrying a torch and a flare gun who reportedly “smelled like fuel.”

Capitol Police announced the arrest on social media Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, the department said the following:

Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). The man smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun.

The CVC is closed for tours for the day, while we investigate. We will provide more information when we can.

The man’s identity has not yet been made public.

Just days earlier, Capitol Police conducted a training exercise on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol; and throughout Washington, D.C.. Businesses in the capital have also begun boarding up their buildings in anticipation for a potentially violent Election Day.

This story is developing.