Police have apprehended a man who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the January 6 riots after he was found outside the residence of former President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., carrying explosives, according to law enforcement officials.
The suspect, identified as Taylor Taranto, 37, was spotted near Mr. Obama’s home by Secret Service agents, who subsequently pursued him when he attempted to flee.
Two officials confirmed that Taranto has an outstanding warrant related to charges connected to the riots that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Anonymous sources revealed that Taranto had made threats against a public figure on social media and was found in possession of weapons and materials that could be used to construct an explosive device, although no assembled device was found at the time of the arrest.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and it remains unclear whether the Obamas were present at their residence during the incident.
Washington D.C. police have taken Taranto into custody on charges of being a fugitive from justice. The extent of Taranto’s involvement, if any, in the Capitol riots and the events surrounding the storming of the building by supporters of former President Donald Trump in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, remains unclear.
To date, over 1,000 individuals have been charged in connection with the January 6 incident, with over 600 pleading guilty and approximately 100 being convicted after trial.
Sentences have been handed down to approximately 550 defendants, with more than half receiving prison terms ranging from six days to 18 years.