Wanted man armed with weapons arrested near Barack Obama's Washington home

30 Jun 2023 02:22pm

Taylor Taranto, 37, was in possession of "multiple weapons” and bomb-making materials when he was apprehended. The explosive device was reportedly comparable to a Molotov cocktail, though it was unassembled.

WASHINGTON An armed man with an outstanding warrant related to the Jan 6 storming of the US Capitol was arrested on Thursday after running towards the Obamas' Washington DC home, reported German news agency (dpa).

CBS News said Taylor Taranto, 37, was in possession of "multiple weapons” and bomb-making materials when he was apprehended. The explosive device was reportedly comparable to a Molotov cocktail, though it was unassembled.

According to the news outlet, the Seattle man previously made threats against a public figure not specified by law enforcement officials. Specifics about the suspect’s outstanding warrant were also not reported.

The FBI and US Capitol Police were aware of the suspect, whose social media posts had raised flags. Secret Service agents reportedly gave chase after spotting Taranto within blocks of the home of the former president and first lady. It’s not known if the Obamas were home at the time.

NBC News describes Taranto as "a conspiracy-minded Donald Trump supporter who stormed the US Capitol on Jan 6."

The network said the suspect was living in a van near the DC jailhouse. The vehicle, along with Taranto’s alleged arsenal, were found near where he was arrested. He recently posted conspiracy theories about the Obamas’ home, NBC News reported.

The Obamas’ DC property is located in the Kalorama neighbourhood. - BERNAMA-DPA