Georgia Teen Charged in Possession of a Firearm on the U.S. Capitol Grounds

WASHINGTON – Carter Camacho, 18, of Smyrna, Georgia, was charged in a complaint today with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm within the United States Capitol Buildings or Grounds in connection to carrying a loaded shotgun onto federal property, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Camacho made his first appearance in U.S. District Court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey who scheduled a detention hearing for March 2, 2026. According to the charging documents, on Feb. 17, 2026, Camacho parked a white Mercedes SUV on Maryland Ave. SE, between First and Third Streets. About 12:07 p.m., Camacho exited the vehicle and ran toward the United States Capitol carrying a firearm while wearing a tactical-style vest and camouflage-style clothing. Camacho reached the steps on the western side of the Capitol. A uniformed officer with the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) asked Camacho what he was carrying. Camacho produced the firearm. The officer ordered Camacho to halt and lie down on the ground. Once Camacho was on the ground, USCP officers recovered a Mossberg Model 88 12-gauge shotgun loaded with seven rounds in the tube and one in the chamber, with the safety off. An additional 17 rounds of ammunition were held in a carrier attached to the shotgun’s stock. Officers placed Camacho in handcuffs. Camacho told USCP officers that he was just there to talk to a Member of Congress. USCP officers traced Camacho’s path to the white Mercedes SUV and located a fixed blade knife on the ground about forty feet from the vehicle.