WASHINGTON – A Michigan man was caught with a flare gun and fuel at the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center on Election Day.
Austin Martin Olson, 28, of Westland, walked inside the U.S. Capitol and started the routine screening process before walking further into the building.
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During the security procedure, officers told Olson to remove all his belongings and place them in a designated container to pass through the X-ray machine. Olson placed his black coat and book bag in the X-ray machine.
When the coat went through the machine, an officer saw what appeared to be a torch and a small gun. The officer told Olson to stay where he was while they were inspecting the coat.
While checking the coat and emptying the pockets, the officer found a torch and a flare gun loaded with a single cartridge.
The officer showed the flare gun and torch to fellow officers in the area and asked Olson to walk through the magnetometer. No other items were found on Olson.
Officers continued to search Olson’s book bag, and a strong odor of gasoline came from it. An officer asked Olson if there were any gasoline-like products in the bag, and Olson said he had “only vodka in a bottle.”
The officer continued to search the bag and found a glass liquor bottle and a metal drinking bottle that smelled like gasoline.
The officer asked Olson if the bottle was filled with gasoline. He then confirmed the bottles did contain fuel.
Police arrest Olson
Olson said he was there to send a message to Congress—the torch and flare gun he had were to “light up the message in fire.”
Another officer asked Olson what message he was trying to deliver to Congress. Olson took a red envelope from his shirt, saying it was the message he wanted to send to Members of Congress. An officer arrested Olson and searched him for any other contraband.
Olson refused to give any more information to police and could not provide an identification card. The gasoline smell was so strong that the Capitol Visitor Center was evacuated and placed on lockdown at around 12:30 p.m. The area was cleared by 2 p.m.
After further searching, officers found two booklets on Olson containing writings and his identification card.
Olson was taken to the United States Capitol Police Headquarters for processing on charges of Unlawful Activities, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and Disorderly Conduct.
Olson’s plans
Officers had a custodial interview with Olson at around 4:20 p.m. on Nov. 5. Olson waived his rights and agreed to answer questions.
Olson told police he packed up his “political thesis,” a flare gun, flares, two notebooks, and his backpack and began driving to Washington, D.C. on Nov. 4, 2024. He stopped at a gas station in Westland to fill his car fuel tank, as well as the water bottle and glass liquor bottle with gasoline.
Olson drove through the night and arrived at Washington in the mid-morning hours of Election Day.
Olson admitted he wrote his “thesis” and traveled to Washington D.C. in hopes of delivering it to Congress. He wanted to get arrested to gain viral attention and spread his message. He said he chose Election Day to maximize the impact of his statement. He denied that he intended to start a fire or light himself on fire.
Olson also said he intended to get arrested by bringing the flare fun and gasoline, knowing it would provoke a police response.
