Georgia teenager pleads guilty to illegally carrying a firearm at the Capitol

A teenager from Smyrna, Georgia, named Carter Camacho, pleaded guilty on July 27, 2026, to illegally carrying a loaded shotgun on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. According to court records, Camacho, 18, armed himself with the shotgun and traveled to Washington, D.C., where he parked his car and ran toward the Capitol dressed in camouflage attire. He was stopped by law enforcement officers after reaching the south steps of the building. During an interview, Camacho provided inconsistent explanations for his actions but acknowledged his intention to confront Congress members. Investigators found a journal in his car that included violent objectives, specifically targeting members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Additionally, Camacho faces charges related to child pornography discovered on his phone during the investigation. He has been in custody since his arrest and is set to be sentenced on December 8, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta.