Texas Man Arrested on Weapons Charge Near VP’s Home

A Texas man who was wanted by the police was arrested on a weapons charge last Wednesday, March 17, near the Naval Observatory in Washington. The home of Vice President Kamala Harris is on the Naval Observatory’s grounds.

The U.S. Secret Service initially observed 31-year old Paul Murray on surveillance cameras while he was on Massachusetts Avenue. He was detained based on an intelligence bulletin that originated from Texas. Sources say that the suspect’s mother alerted the Capitol Police after he made disturbing statements that worried her.

After being detained, Murray led the police to his car, which was located in a parking garage near the Washington Convention Center, a few miles away. After a search of his black Chevy Impala, a rifle, multiple rounds of ammunition, several gun clips, and a large capacity ammunition feeding device were found. Murray was later arrested.

In the police report, the suspect was stated to have been in possession of an “AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, 113 rounds of unregistered ammunition, and five 30-round magazines.” The offenses that he was charged with included carrying a dangerous weapon, carrying a rifle or shotgun outside a business, possession of unregistered ammunition, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.

This incident comes while the district is under heightened security following the January 6 insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol. During the insurrection, pro-Trump extremists who took the position that President Biden and Harris had stolen the election from former President Trump stormed the Capitol.

At the time of Murray’s arrest, Vice President Harris and her family were not at the Naval Observatory because it was still undergoing renovations. Instead, they were at Blair House, which is a White House guest home.

The U.S. Army confirmed that Murray served as an unmanned drone pilot for four years. He was active from March 2010 to April 2014. Although he was ranked as a Specialist, he was never deployed.

If you are facing federal firearms charges, it is crucial that you engage the help of an experienced defense attorney like those at Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian. Our dedicated legal team can help you get the best possible outcome in your case. We are highly knowledgeable in criminal defense.

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Call Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian at (972) 369-0577 or contact us online today. We can help investigate your case thoroughly and decide on potential defenses that you can use to fight the charges against you. We offer a free, confidential consultation. We are ready to review your case and discuss your legal rights and options. Don’t wait. Get our experienced lawyers on your team today.

Written by: Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian Last Updated : August 21, 2023