A man who smelled like gasoline showed up at the U.S. Capitol visitor center with a torch and flare gun on Election Day, prompting police to close the building to tourists for the rest of the day. , say the police.

The US Capitol Police (USCP) said The man was in the process of clearing security at the Capitol Visitor Center around 12:30 p.m. when officers discovered the torch and flare gun in his jacket. Inside his backpack, officers found bottles that appeared to have fuel residue on them, and one officer noticed there was a faint odor of gasoline or some type of accelerant on the man, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said. That smell became much stronger when they opened the backpack, he said.

Officers arrested the suspect, a 28-year-old Michigan man. Investigators were still questioning him around 3:30 p.m., police said. Police have not yet released his name or provided a possible motive.

Manger said the man had “quite a few” documents with him and said he intended to turn them over to Congress. Investigators were still reviewing the papers and working to decipher the man’s plans.

“It didn’t look like he soaked all of his clothes… so it’s unknown at this time what his intention was,” Manger said.

Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger provided an update on the arrest Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators tracked the suspect’s previous movements and found his vehicle at 9th Street and Maryland Avenue NE. That scene has been cleared, they said.

Manger said the video shows the man slowly walking toward the visitor center and looking around. He said the suspect had heavier clothing than was necessary for the unusually warm November day.

Once inside the security screening area, the man hesitated for a moment when an officer asked him to put his things in the machine, Manger said.

Manger said his department has been in heightened alert for any possible violence on Election Day, but “there is no indication at this time that it had anything to do with the election.”

Every state attorney general in the country released a letter Monday condemning potential political violence.

“We hope that Americans will respond peacefully” regardless of the outcome, the attorneys general said in the letter.

Over the past year, the News4 I-Team has reported on the disturbing possibility that politically motivated violence could mar this election year. Investigative journalist Ted Oberg explains how some poll workers have already been affected.

The News4 I-Team found that several states across the country implemented new security measures to ensure the safety of poll workers.

Last week in Maryland, someone followed a poll worker from a polling place to his home. The person told police they wanted to “make sure the ballots were taken to the right place.”

Experts have told the News4 I-Team for months that support for Politically motivated violence reaches alarming levels..