U.S. Capitol Police began evacuation efforts around the Library of Congress on Thursday morning after reports of a possible explosive in a truck located nearby. Hours later, the suspect surrendered to police, according to The New York Times (NYT).
Capitol Police tweeted that the situation was “an active bomb threat investigation,” and warned people in the area to avoid going near the Library of Congress. A possible suspect was identified as 51-year-old Ray Roseberry from Grover, North Carolina. The suspect said during a Facebook live stream that he has a bomb with him big enough to blow up “two and a half city blocks.”
“If you want to shoot me, and take the chance of blowing up two and a half city blocks… Cause that toolbox full … of ammonium nitrate,” Roseberry can be heard saying in a video.
This appears to be the livestream of the man who is sitting in the pickup truck near the US Capitol https://t.co/sNKdRHRQSU pic.twitter.com/fywOoRkuWI
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 19, 2021
Police told personnel in nearby congressional buildings such as the House Cannon Office Building to use the underground tunnel system to evacuate to other buildings, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
Guidance to those in Cannon from alert: * Remain calm and relocate to the Longworth House Office Building using the underground tunnels.* If nearby, take annunciators on the way out.* Close doors behind you but do not lock.* Proceed immediately to your designated assembly area..” https://t.co/zzPfqj9tv7
— Billy House (@HouseInSession) August 19, 2021
MEDIA ALERT: This is an active bomb threat investigation. The staging area for journalists covering this situation is at Constitution and First Street, NW for your safety.
Please continue to avoid the area around the Library of Congress. pic.twitter.com/jTNVaBmVwR
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) August 19, 2021
Following hours of negotiations with police, Roseberry ended up peacefully surrendering to police on Thursday afternoon, the NYT reported.
Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger explained during a news conference that while they had spent hours negotiating with Roseberry, and were at the unclear as to what his motives are, according to the NYT. (RELATED: Federal Prosecutors Are Branding Non-Violent Jan 6 Defendants As ‘Terrorists’ To Pursue Harsher Sentences)
He surrenders: pic.twitter.com/VJwbUB2P2N
— Haley Talbot (@haleytalbotnbc) August 19, 2021
The Daily Caller reached out for comment but did not receive an immediate response.