The U.S. Capitol Police arrested a member of a House Democrat’s staff on Thursday morning for allegedly trying to bring ammunition into the Cannon House Office Building. The incident occurred when the staffer entered the building and placed his bag through screening, where officers noticed what appeared to be ammunition on the x-ray screen.
Upon conducting a hand search of the bag, officers discovered four ammunition magazines and eleven rounds of ammunition. The staffer claimed that he had forgotten the ammunition was in the bag. As a result, Michael Hopkins, 38, is now facing charges for unlawful possession of ammunition, including one charge for possession of a high-capacity magazine.
Rep. Joe Morelle’s office, representing New York’s 25th Congressional District, stated that they are fully committed to cooperating with the investigation. Morelle, as the Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe and secure workplace for all individuals within the Capitol Building.
The office of Rep. Morelle is currently gathering more information about the arrest and has not yet provided further comments on the matter. The Capitol Police are continuing their investigation into the incident to ensure the safety and security of the Capitol Building and its occupants.
