National Security

Authorities say no bomb but materials discovered after threat near Capitol

Capitol Police said no explosives were found in the truck parked outside the Library of Congress on Thursday after they safely arrested the suspect behind the bomb threat, though “possible bomb making materials” were found inside the vehicle.

“This afternoon, the United States Capitol Police safely took a bomb threat suspect into custody, cleared the vehicle and has now determined the area is safe,” the department said in a statement. “A bomb was not found in the vehicle, but possible bomb making materials were collected from the truck.”

The suspect, 49-year-old Floyd Ray Roseberry of North Carolina, surrendered to authorities earlier Thursday afternoon.

Roseberry’s motivation for calling in this threat has not yet been determined, though Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said in a press conference that he had been “dealing with” issues recently.

“We do know that Mr. Roseberry has had some losses of family. I believe his mother recently passed away,” Manger said.

While still sitting in his vehicle outside the Library of Congress, Roseberry ran a livestream on Facebook. According to CNBC, Roseberry made several demands in this livestream, including the resignation of President Biden and airstrikes on the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Roseberry also said his wife had cancer, the treatment for which his insurance would not cover.

“I promised my wife I’d be home Sunday, whichever home it is. I’ve cleared my conscience with God,” he said in his livestream, CNBC reports.

Facebook has since taken down the video and his account. The company said any additional accounts belonging to Roseberry or any content that appears to support his actions would also be taken down.

Capitol Police will work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia to determine the charges against Roseberry.