Ryan Michael English, a 24-year-old from Massachusetts, was apprehended at the U.S. Capitol carrying lethal weapons.
According to NBC Washington, Ryan intended to assassinate newly confirmed U.S. officials and burn down The Heritage Foundation but surrendered before executing his plan.
Ryan approached a U.S. Capitol Police officer outside the south door of the Capitol on Monday afternoon and stated he wanted to turn himself in. The police quickly detained him and found a folding knife and homemade incendiary devices in his possession. These included two vodka bottles altered to serve as Molotov cocktails.
Further examining Ryan's belongings, officers discovered a lighter and a heartfelt apology letter written on the back of a receipt. In this letter, Ryan expressed remorse and hinted at a sense of urgency driven by personal and ideological torments.
The motive behind his alarming actions seemed deeply personal and politically motivated. Ryan had meticulously planned to target specific heads of U.S. departments, deeming them a direct threat to what he referred to as his family. He altered his initial plan to target Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after being influenced by online content.
Depositing his confession, Ryan admitted to carrying additional incendiary devices in his vehicle. Police located his car not far from the Capitol, where they found more potential bomb-making materials.
Originally focusing on other targets, Ryan decided to switch his priority to Bessent after coming across a Reddit post about the latter’s confirmation hearing. This impulsive change, therefore, directed him to plot a dangerous attack on Bessent at the Capitol.
Not only did Ryan plan to set the Molotov cocktails to explode near Bessent, but he also expressed a willingness to escalate to more violent means if necessary. In fact, he had come to terms with the possibility of a fatal confrontation with law enforcement in his pursuit.
The disrupted plans, in turn, highlighted a multifaceted attack strategy, where Ryan saw himself compelled to act violently out of a distorted duty to prevent supposed atrocities. He even indicated that the death of federal police officers might be necessary to reach his main target.
Ryan’s letter stressed overwhelming guilt and a conflicted conscience. Here’s a poignant excerpt:
Dear god I am so sorry. You must understand I can feel myself dying slowly b/c of my heart. This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters. I love you. This is awful. Im so sorry. I love u.
The letter provides a glimpse into the troubled mind of an individual who believed he was fighting against what he perceived as fascist threats to people he loved. Consequently, authorities are now diligently investigating Ryan's background, looking into both his mental health history and digital footprint. This includes any affiliations or ideologies that might have influenced his radical decision.
Notably, the interception of Ryan before he could carry out any of his intentions undoubtedly prevented a potentially catastrophic event. His arrest has sparked discussions on Capitol security and the influence of online platforms on individual actions.
As he faces multiple charges related to weapons possession and attempted arson, this situation serves as a stark reminder of the persistent security challenges and ideological divisions facing America today.
