A man was arrested at the U.S. Capitol on Election Day with a flare gun and smelling like fuel.

27-year-old Austin Olson, of Michigan, was flagged while entering the Capitol Visitor Center, with a flare gun, a torch lighter, bottles of fuel, and a manifesto about war in the Middle East.

Arrest at the Capitol

A post from Capitol Police said the man "smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun."

"Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC)."

"The CVC is closed for tours for the day, while we investigate," the post read.

Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). The man smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun.

The CVC is closed for tours for the day, while we investigate. We will provide more information when we can. pic.twitter.com/J5geNud1h2

— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) November 5, 2024

More details

Later, at a press conference, Capitol Police shared additional details, saying the threat does not appear to be related to the election. Olson was caught with suspicious items during a screening at the Capitol Visitor Center around 12:30 p.m.

"He stood there for a few seconds and then put his stuff on the conveyor belt. As soon as his coat and backpack went through the screening area, U.S. Capitol Police officers saw something that appeared to be a firearm as well as two bottles," Chief Thomas Manger said.

Officers noted Olson's clothing was wet and he was reeking of fuel.

"We found a flare gun and a torch lighter in his jacket. There were also other articles in his backpack. He is now in custody," the chief continued.

Unrest fails to materialize

The threat came after a presidential campaign marked by heated rhetoric and two assassination attempts against President Trump.

The American people decided to send Trump back to Washington with a resounding mandate, even after Democrats repeatedly compared him to Hitler and accused him of fomenting an "insurrection."

The nation's capital braced for unrest ahead of the election, with many businesses boarding up and police on stand-by. But the reaction to President Trump's historic comeback has been peaceful, so far.

Olson is facing charges for possession of a prohibited weapon, unlawful activities and disorderly conduct, authorities said.