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Man arrested at U.S. Capitol had note with Rep. André Carson's name as well as guns, bombs

Evidence in United States v. COFFMAN
Posted at 10:47 AM, Jan 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-13 10:48:03-05

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A man who prosecutors say brought guns, explosive materials and ammunition to the Capitol on the day of the riots had a handwritten note with U.S. Rep. André Carson’s name on it.

The note had Carson’s name, along with the words “one of two Muslims in House of Reps.” Carson, a Democrat from Indianapolis, is actually one of three Muslims in Congress.

“I think it really hits home about how dangerous some of these individuals were when they stormed the Capitol,” Carson said. “This individual did not issue a general statement about violence. Instead, it was targeted and specific.”

Evidence_United States_COFFMAN

The man has been charged with 17 counts of various gun charges.

According to federal prosecutors, Capitol Police located the following weapons and ammunition in the suspect’s truck:

  • A loaded 9 mm Hi-Point handgun
  • A loaded Windham Weaponry rifle
  • A loaded Hatfield Gun Company SAS shotgun
  • Several large capacity ammunition feeding devices loading with more than ten rounds of rifle ammunition
  • Hundreds of rounds of ammunition
  • A crossbow with bolts
  • Several machetes
  • Camouflage smoke devices
  • Stun gun
  • Eleven mason jars containing a flammable liquid, with a hole punched in the top of each jar
  • Lighters and rags.

The man’s note also had the phrase, “We The People Are The Rightful Masters Of Both The Congress And The Courts, Not To Overthrow The Constitution But To Overthrow The Men Who Pervert The Constitution,” which has been attributed to Abraham Lincoln.