Police respond to bomb threat near US Capitol

By Meg Wagner, Melissa Macaya and Melissa Mahtani, CNN

Updated 6:40 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021
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3:40 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

Bomb threat suspect posted videos on Facebook calling for President Biden and Democrats to step down

From CNN's Laura Smitherman

The bomb threat suspect taken into custody by US Capitol Police posted several Facebook videos earlier today in which he appeared to be holding an explosive device inside his truck.

The suspect has been identified as 49-year-old Floyd Ray Roseberry.

In the videos, Roseberry repeatedly refers to President Biden, calls for him to step down and urges “Joe” to come talk to him. In the long ramblings, Roseberry also expresses frustration about the situation in Afghanistan.

On his Facebook page, which has since been taken down, Roseberry frequently made pro-Trump posts and posted videos from former President Donald Trump’s "Million MAGA March" on Nov. 14. 

In the videos posted today, Roseberry calls himself a “patriot.” He says he doesn’t care if Trump ever becomes president again but also that he thinks “all Democrats need to step down.”

As various points, the suspect talked about his family, saying he told his wife he’d be home by Sunday.

6:40 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

CNN obtains photo of suspect's alleged explosive device in Washington, DC

A pickup truck is seen parked on the sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building on August 19.
A pickup truck is seen parked on the sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building on August 19. Alex Brandon/AP

CNN has obtained a photo of the purported explosive device that a suspect, now identified as 49-year-old Floyd Ray Roseberry, brought to Washington, DC.  

The image of the device was obtained by CNN from a Facebook Live video that Roseberry made during his standoff with authorities. The video and Facebook profile have since been removed by Facebook.

Roseberry surrendered to authorities and was brought into custody, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said. Authorities say they still do not know the suspect's motive.

Here is the photo of the purported device:

The image of the device was obtained by CNN from a Facebook Live video that Roseberry had made during his standoff with authorities. The video, and Facebook profile, have since been removed by Facebook.
The image of the device was obtained by CNN from a Facebook Live video that Roseberry had made during his standoff with authorities. The video, and Facebook profile, have since been removed by Facebook. From Facebook

3:15 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

Capitol Police still searching bomb threat suspect’s truck

From CNN's Annie Grayer and Daniella Diaz

US Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger told reporters that the bomb threat suspect, who they identified as 49-year-old Floyd Ray Roseberry, has been moved away from the scene, but the area remains an active crime scene as officials still have to search the suspect’s truck.

“We don’t know if there are any explosives in the vehicle. It is still an active scene,” Manger said. “We still have to search the vehicle and render the vehicle safe.”

 When asked if they could identify the motive, Manger said, “We don't know, as of yet.” 

Manger added: “We do know that Mr. Roseberry has had some losses of family. I believe his mother recently passed away, and we spoke with members of his family, and there were other issues that he was dealing with. There'll be more on that.”

Manger said that so far there is “no indication" that the suspect was acting with others. 

When CNN’s Whitney Wild asked about the suspect’s background, Manger said, “We’re not aware of any law enforcement or military background.”

Manger also said that the suspect was not a known figure to Capitol Police. 

Describing the moment the suspect actually gave up, Manger said, “He gave up and did not resist.”

“We had been in communication with him. But when we delivered the phone, there were no conversations via phone. As far as we could tell, it was just his decision to surrender at that point,” the chief said.

3:00 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

Capitol Police identify suspect who claimed to have a bomb and say he is in custody 

Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said the suspect who claimed to have a bomb near the US Capitol surrendered and was taken into custody "without incident." The suspect has been moved from the scene.

Police identified the suspect as 49-year-old Floyd Ray Roseberry. Manger said they still do not know the suspect's motives.

Manger said officials do not know if there are still explosives in the vehicle and it is still an "active scene." Officials still need to search the vehicle and render it safe, he said. 

The official said the man had parked a truck in front of the Library of Congress for several hours and had "advised he had explosives."

Manger said officials tried to negotiate with the man via a white board, and a robot was sent to get a telephone to him, which he refused to use.

The suspect eventually got out of the vehicle and surrendered.

2:43 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

Biden has been briefed on Capitol bomb threat 

From CNN's Natasha Bertrand

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the bomb threat at the Capitol, a White House official says. 

“The White House is receiving regular updates from law enforcement," the official said.
2:34 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

Suspect who claimed to have a bomb has surrendered to authorities, sources say

From CNN's Whitney Wild

A pickup truck is seen parked on the sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building on August 19.
A pickup truck is seen parked on the sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building on August 19. Alex Brandon/AP

A suspect who said he had a bomb in a pickup truck near the US Capitol, has surrendered, two law enforcement sources tell CNN.

How the events unfolded: A man drove a black pickup truck onto the sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress at 9:15 a.m. ET, claiming he had a bomb and displayed what looked like a detonator to an officer on the scene, according to US Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger.

Negotiators were in communication with the suspect throughout the day to try to come to a "resolution," Manger told reporters at a press conference near the Capitol earlier today.

Manger said the suspect had been live-streaming. He added that he did not know the suspect's motives.

1:18 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

US Capitol Police "still working" on bomb threat investigation 

From CNN's Whitney Wild, Lauren Fox and Daniella Diaz

US Capitol Police officers stand at an intersection near the Capitol on August 19.
US Capitol Police officers stand at an intersection near the Capitol on August 19. Patrick Semansky/AP

Police are "still working" on the bomb threat investigation near the US Capitol, according to a tweet.

Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said in a news briefing earlier that officials continue to negotiate with a man who says he has a bomb in a pickup truck.

"We don't know what his motives are at this time," Manger said.

Two Library of Congress buildings — the Jefferson and the Madison — and the Cannon House Office Building were evacuated due to the suspicious vehicle, according to alerts sent to staffers viewed by CNN.

12:37 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

White House receiving updates on bomb threat, official says

From CNN's From Jeff Zeleny

The White House is closely following events on Capitol Hill at this hour as authorities deal with a bomb threat.

“The White House is monitoring the situation and is receiving updates from law enforcement,” a senior administration official tells CNN.

It is unclear if president Biden has been briefed.

12:28 p.m. ET, August 19, 2021

Suspect claims he has a bomb and has been live-streaming, US Capitol Police chief says 

From CNN's Laura Smitherman

US Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger speaks to the press near the Capitol on August 19.
US Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger speaks to the press near the Capitol on August 19. Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said negotiators continue to try to come to a “resolution” with a man who says he has a bomb in a pickup truck.

Manger said in a news conference near the Capitol that the suspect had been live-streaming and that officials have a “possible name” but added “we don’t have much information about him at this time.”

Video has been posted on Facebook by the suspect, a law enforcement official tells CNN. CNN is not yet naming the suspect. A video that lasts about a half hour shows an individual from inside a truck, holding a canister that he says is a bomb and speaking about a “revolution.” 

After the brief news conference, Manger promised to give periodic updates.

“This is really an ongoing situation,” Manger said.