USCP’s New Rapid Response Team Stops Armed & Wanted Felon

The United States Capitol Police’s (USCP) new Rapid Response Team (RRT) stopped an armed and wanted felon, while the bicycle officers were proactively patrolling the area near the Senate Office Buildings. The armed felon also has extraditable warrants related to gun charges from Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Just before 3:30 p.m., the RRT officers spotted a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was illegally parked along Louisiana, NE, near Massachusetts Avenue, in a spot reserved for permitted Congressional staff. Officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. 

A woman and a dog were also in the Jeep.

While the RRT officers were running the driver’s identification, he sped off in the Jeep -- hitting a couple of cars along the way. The bicycle officers put out a lookout for the Jeep on the radio, so our Special Operations Division (SOD) could use their SUVs to stop the driver.

The driver abandoned the Jeep and ran away on foot. An SOD officer got out of his SUV and ran after the driver. The SOD officer witnessed the driver grab at his waistband, so the officer pulled out his Department issued firearm and demanded the driver to stop. The driver threw a gun, which had an extended magazine, in a nearby trash can, but kept running. The driver was then stopped and arrested just before 4:00 p.m. along New Jersey Avenue and F Street, NW.

“This is a good example of proactive police work and the critical partnership between our officers in the field,” said Assistant USCP Chief Sean Gallagher. “Our officers are patrolling the grounds, the streets, the parking lots – we are everywhere to keep this community safe.”

So far this year, USCP officers have confiscated more than 20 guns. Weapons of any kind are illegal on Capitol Grounds – even if you have a gun that is registered in another state.

At this time, the suspect, 30-year-old Kevin L. Neal of Washington, D.C., is facing several charges, including Fugitive from Justice, Failure to Appear, Carrying a Pistol without a License, Unregistered Ammo, Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine, Felony Fleeing, Resisting, Reckless Driving, and Leaving the Scene After an Accident.

The woman, who was in the passenger seat, is not facing any charges.

No serious injuries were reported – including for the dog.