U.S. Capitol Police officers saw Richard Griffin, a 43-year-old Pennsylvanian who had been flagged in a threat assessment, trying to enter the Russell Senate Office Building and arrested him on Tuesday for “threats to do bodily harm for threatening to kill a member of Congress,” the police force said.
Members of the force’s rapid response team saw Griffin, who was identified in the assessment on Oct. 28, at about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Capitol Police said. “The man was stopped before he could attempt to go through security screening,” it said.
“We will not tolerate any threats to the members of Congress, their families or staff,” stated Michael Sullivan, chief of the U.S. Capitol Police. “Our officers, agents and professional staff worked relentlessly to bring offenders to justice. We have a zero-tolerance stance when it comes to threats.”
The suspect has “a history of emailing a congressional office, as well as various government officials and law enforcement agencies,” Capitol Police said.
The force didn’t say whom the suspect allegedly threatened or if he articulated a motive. Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) are both known for being pro-Israel and outspoken on Jew-hatred.
