A 29-year-old man has been arrested after causing extensive damage inside the U.S. Capitol over the weekend, in an incident that shocked authorities and reignited concerns over security at one of the nation’s most symbolic buildings. According to the U.S. Capitol Police, the suspect drove his vehicle onto a flowerbed in front of the Capitol late Sunday night before breaking into the building through a ground-floor window, triggering an alarm. 

Officers arrived within seconds, yet the intruder managed to climb to the third floor, where he toppled statues, damaged flags, and started a fire. Among the vandalized items were statues of George Washington and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., police confirmed. The fire was set in the State Reception Room, an official chamber housing irreplaceable historical artifacts and portraits. Authorities said several pieces sustained severe damage during the blaze.

The suspect was apprehended shortly after exiting the building, following a brief pursuit by responding officers. He now faces multiple charges, including arson, burglary, and malicious destruction of government property. Investigators emphasized that the attack does not appear to have been politically motivated. Early reports suggest the man was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident and had no ties to extremist organizations.

Speaking on Monday, Governor Bob Ferguson said the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. “We are in the process of evaluating the losses, but it’s clear that several historic elements of the Capitol have been seriously affected,” he stated.

The episode, though isolated, has once again raised questions about security measures at federal institutions in Washington, and serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of national landmarks to acts of vandalism and distress.