A Mississippi man is behind bars after he allegedly drove up to the U.S. Capitol with a handgun in his lap.
Capitol Police in Washington, D.C. reported that Wendell Royster, 67, drove up to the north barricade of the Capitol building on Constitution Avenue in a rented Ford Bronco on Monday around 11:22 a.m. At the scene, Royster reportedly asked police for directions to the U.S. Supreme Court.
According to police’s report, the officer noticed a handgun on Royster’s lap and ordered him to put his hands in the air. More law enforcement responded to the scene and surrounded the man’s vehicle before taking him into custody.
Royster, a native of Marion County, is said to have been arrested without incident. He is charged with carrying a pistol without a license and no permit. Police also said they found a dog chained in the back of the vehicle he was driving. The dog was handed over to animal control.
Authorities remind the public that all weapons are prohibited on Capitol grounds. As for Monday’s incident, a motive has not been established at this time.