ABC News August 19, 2021

Suspect in custody after 'active bomb threat' near Library of Congress

WATCH: Bomb suspect surrenders outside Capitol

Several governmental buildings in Washington, D.C., were evacuated Thursday morning due to what Capitol Police called "an active bomb threat investigation" after a man drove a pickup truck onto a sidewalk.

The bomb-threat suspect, 49-year-old Floyd Ray Roseberry of North Carolina, surrendered Thursday afternoon and is in custody, said Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger.

Authorities said they did not find an explosive device in the truck, but did confiscate "possible bomb making materials."

MORE: Congress passes emergency security funding for Capitol Police, National Guard

Roseberry had been sitting in his truck for several hours in front of the Library of Congress and said he had explosives, Manger added. Responding officers said he had what appeared to be a detonator in his hand.

Sydney Bobb
A man sits in a pickup truck outside the Library of Congress and has allegedly told police that he has a bomb in Washington, Aug. 19, 2021.

Authorities tried to negotiate with Roseberry by writing messages on a whiteboard, Manger said. Authorities then used a robot to give the suspect a phone, but he wouldn't use it.

Obtained by ABC News
A man identified by authorities as Floyd Ray Roseberry of North Carolina is pictured in a truck near the U.S. Capitol with what he claimed was an explosive device, in video posted to Facebook on Aug. 19, 2021.

Roseberry then exited his truck and surrendered without incident. It's unknown what his motive may have been, and authorities said they've contacted his family.

Alex Brandon/AP
A person is apprehended after being in a pickup truck parked on the sidewalk in front of the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building, as seen from a window of the U.S. Capitol, Aug. 19, 2021.

He doesn't have a serious criminal background, police added.

Police said they would work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia to determine any possible charges.

Authorities are also investigating a Facebook video that appears to have been posted by the suspect.

The Cannon House Office Building, a congressional office building, was evacuated via underground routes. The Library of Congress and Supreme Court building also were evacuated. Both the Supreme Court and Congress are on recess.

Police activity is pictured near the Cannon House Office Building, which is being evacuated due to a suspicious vehicle at 100 block of 1st St., SE, according to a law enforcement sources. The Library of Congress is also being evacuated.
Police activity is pictured near the Cannon House Office Building, which is being evacuated due to a suspicious vehicle at 100 block of 1st St., SE, according to a law enforcement sources. The Library of Congress is also being evacuated.

Messages were sent to congressional staffers asking that they "remain calm and relocate to Longworth House Office Building using the underground tunnels."

Senate staff were asked in a message to "remain clear of the police activity" and to "please move indoors" if they were outside on Capitol grounds.

The White House said it was monitoring the situation and was receiving updates from law enforcement, according to an administration official.

D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department said later Thursday afternoon that the truck was cleared and road closures were lifted.

"Residents may return to their homes," police tweeted. "Thank you all for your patience during this critical incident."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement, "Today, once again, the Capitol Police, FBI and other law enforcement dealt with a potential threat to the Capitol Hill community. The immense gratitude of the Congress is with all law enforcement officers who today and all days sacrifice to keep the Capitol Complex and those within it safe."