An armed man has been arrested after running towards the Washington side of former President Barack Obama. DC goes home on Thursday.
The suspect is reported, Taylor Taranto, 37 years old, has an arrest warrant in effect in connection with the January 6 Capitol riots. He was initially arrested by members of the Secret Service far from the Obama family home, according to CBS news.
Taranto had a gun, ammunition, and a machete in a nearby vehicle at the time of his arrest, police said
The 37-year-old man tried to run away when the Secret Service gave chase, the newspaper reported. That’s when Taranto allegedly began running straight to the former president’s home, law enforcement said.
He was stopped before reaching the property, the outlet reported.
CBS news reporter Scott MacFarlane tweeted that Taranto not only had a gun but also 400 rounds of ammunition, a machete and explosives in his car, parked nearby, at the time of his arrest.
The Metropolitan Police Department charged Taranto with evading justice in connection with Thursday’s arrest.
It remains unclear whether the Obamas were at home during the reported incident. However, he doesn’t happen to be in Obama’s neighborhood, a US official said. CBS news.
NEWS: Taylor Taranto had a gun, 400 rounds of ammunition in his car when he was arrested near Barack Obama’s home.
Donald Trump posts Obama’s address on social media. Taranto reposted it, then appeared.
Story with @FionaGlisson. #AstroNO https://t.co/SX7qRQqq3Y
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) June 30, 2023
NBC News Taranto’s last post reported to his Telegram account was a link to a website touting Obama’s house conspiracy theories.
MacFarlane reports that the Justice Department thinks Taranto is in danger of absconding, as he has been living in his truck near the Washington DC prison.
According to MacFarlane, a DC judge ordered Taranto’s custody pending a remand hearing on Wednesday (July 5).
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Taranto has had an order in effect for his role in the January 6 Capitol riots, named in the lawsuit filed by MPD’s widow
According to Macfarlane, Taranto also recently made threats against Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) on a social media live stream.
The Seattle native, who has no fixed address, also has an arrest warrant in effect regarding his participation in the January 6 Capitol riots. The charges include four counts: disorderly conduct, entering a restricted building and unlawfully marching, MacFarlane reported.
He is also named in a civil lawsuit filed by the family of former Metropolitan police officer Jeffrey Smith. Smith committed suicide two weeks after the Capitol riots, according to CNN.
A psychiatrist employed by Officer Smith’s widow found that dramatic changes in Smith’s behavior after January 6 were evidence that the attack on the Capitol was the event that led to his death. he committed suicide. New York Times report.
Taranto allegedly supplied another rioter with a weapon, which was later used to attack Officer Smith. The lawsuit claims Taranto’s actions ultimately contributed to Smith’s death.
MPD: No real threat to community after Taranto arrest near Obama’s DC home
Meanwhile, the MPD told CNN there was no active threat to the community as of Friday afternoon and the incident is still under investigation.
A spokesman for the Obamas declined to comment, the network reported.
