WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Capitol Police intercepted a man who attempted to enter the U.S. Capitol building. He was found to have the smell of gasoline and was equipped with a torch lighter and flare gun, as stated by police authorities.

The individual was taken into custody around 1:30 p.m. after showing uncertainty while passing through the security checkpoint. He had two containers that carried fuel or some sort of combustible material in his backpack, along with an object resembling a gun, according to Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger during a press briefing.

The backpack emitted a strong fuel odor due to a leak in one of the bottles. The man was also in possession of documents and claimed he intended to “deliver a letter to Congress.”

“At this point, we are unsure of his intentions,” Manger remarked. “Currently, there is no evidence suggesting a connection to the election.”

Manger noted that authorities are continuing their inquiry with the suspect and mentioned that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict could have influenced his attempt to access the Capitol.

Authorities discovered the man’s vehicle parked several blocks from the Capitol.

Washington, D.C. is currently on high alert for any potential violence linked to the presidential election, particularly after the surprising events of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Many storefronts in the downtown area have been boarded up, and the Capitol Police announced that the Capitol Visitor Center—where the man attempted to enter—would remain closed for the rest of the day.