A man arrested near the U.S. Capitol with a small cache of weapons and explosives in his vehicle is facing charges for carrying a deadly weapon and possessing an unregistered firearm and ammunition, according to U.S. Capitol Police.
Department spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said that at approximately 10:45 a.m. ET, a white male driver, later identified as Christopher Shelton Timmons, 27, approached a Capitol Police officer for directions at 2nd and Independence Ave., SE, near the Library of Congress.
The officer noticed a rifle case in the vehicle and proceeded to search it. Police say they found one AK-47 type rifle, two fully loaded magazines, ammunition and what was described as a grenade-type IED. Schneider added that officers found a loaded pistol and at least one knife in the vehicle.
The IED was removed and rendered safe. Authorities transported it to an FBI lab in Quantico, Va., for further analysis.
According to two law enforcement officials, Timmons was also in possession of floor plans of the Washington Convention Center, which is located approximately two miles from the location of his arrest.
The facility is hosting the AARP's annual meeting this weekend and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus's Conference early next week.
Police closed the scene of the arrest to traffic as they searched a light-colored Jeep Cherokee with Virginia plates, which they said is registered to Timmons.
Authorities emptied the SUV's contents onto the street as they sorted and bagged evidence. A flatbed tow truck later hauled the vehicle away, and police reopened the area to traffic at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET.
Timmons is in custody at Capitol Police headquarters, and could be moved to a Washington holding facility later this afternoon.
In January, Capitol Police arrested Virginia resident Michael Gorbey, 38, after the shotgun- and sword-toting man told officers he was headed to the U.S. Supreme Court for an appointment with Chief Justice John Roberts.
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