The US Capitol Police arrested a California man on Tuesday afternoon after officers spotted a wooden guillotine in the back of a pickup truck, the authorities said.
Federal agents took custody of the device, which Capitol police described as an antiquated decapitation instrument. Historically, guillotines were used for executions in France and other European countries.
In a press release, Capitol police said the truck was parked illegally next to the Supreme Court building, an area near the US Capitol and the Library of Congress. The force also published photographs showing the large wooden structure in the truck bed.
Arrest Near The Supreme Court
The suspect, Philan-Tam-Duy Le, 35, was taken into custody after officers made the observation, police said. They said the vehicle was positioned beside the Supreme Court building, within the Capitol complex.
Le travelled to Washington from California, according to the police statement. The case is being handled through the federal authorities involved in the seizure and charging process.
Charge Filed After Seizure
Le faces a charge of carrying a dangerous weapon. Capitol police said it remains unclear why he allegedly had the guillotine with him.
Police did not provide additional details about the device’s construction or how it was stored beyond noting that it was found in the truck bed when officers observed it.
An investigation is under way into Le’s background and into his reasons for driving to Washington, Capitol police said.
Family Remarks And Reported Context
After the arrest, Le’s brother, Kelvin Le, told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday that he did not believe his brother intended to harm anyone.
The newspaper reported that Le had no firm partisan ties and was unhappy with the state of politics. Kelvin Le said the guillotine may have been meant as a “symbol of disapproval”.
Kelvin Le also described his brother as a “free spirit” who makes things by hand and enjoys taking road trips. He said Le had been living in Julian, a mountain town about 60 miles (97km) north east of San Diego.
Join the discussion? 
27 August 2026
-
3
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment