United States Capitol Police on Tuesday arrested a California man with what they said was a guillotine in the bed of a pickup truck parked near the US Capitol complex. The man has been identified as 35-year-old Philan-Tam-Duy Le of Julian, California. He was arrested shortly after 3 pm in local time when the truck he was driving was parked near the east side of the Capitol grounds, Capitol police said.The police said that they are investigating why the suspect, who was driving from California was had made the trip and why he was transporting a device of capital punishment dating to 18th century Europe. The device had a horrific history associated with the French Revolution. It consists of a heavy angled blade mounted on a tall wooden frame. The blade drops on the head to behead individuals. It was named after French physician Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, who advocated for a quicker and less painful method of execution. It became a symbol of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution as revolutionaries put French elites through that capital punishment.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-smart-border-security-grid-explained-1787765111816">India’s ‘Smart Border’: How will the new high-tech security grid work?</a>Le was arrested for carrying a dangerous weapon and for possession of a guillotine, police said. They said they have confiscated the guillotine.According to statements given by the suspect's brother to the Los Angeles Times, the guillotine was built and transported as a "symbol of disapproval". The brother noted that Le was deeply dissatisfied with the American political system, harbouring strong dislikes for both major political parties, including President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This afternoon our officers seized a guillotine, which they spotted in the bed of a pickup truck along the 100 block of East Capitol Street. You can learn more about the arrest here: <a href="https://t.co/JibVXWBj8j">https://t.co/JibVXWBj8j</a> <a href="https://t.co/orxccDAyZc">pic.twitter.com/orxccDAyZc</a>&mdash; The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) <a href="https://x.com/CapitolPolice/status/2092385694802903194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

US Capitol Police arrested a California man after finding a guillotine in his pickup truck parked near the Capitol complex in Washington, DC.

United States Capitol Police on Tuesday arrested a California man with what they said was a guillotine in the bed of a pickup truck parked near the US Capitol complex. The man has been identified as 35-year-old Philan-Tam-Duy Le of Julian, California. He was arrested shortly after 3 pm in local time when the truck he was driving was parked near the east side of the Capitol grounds, Capitol police said. The police said that they are investigating why the suspect, who was driving from California was had made the trip and why he was transporting a device of capital punishment dating to 18th century Europe. The device had a horrific history associated with the French Revolution. It consists of a heavy angled blade mounted on a tall wooden frame. The blade drops on the head to behead individuals. It was named after French physician Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, who advocated for a quicker and less painful method of execution. It became a symbol of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution as revolutionaries put French elites through that capital punishment. Also Read: India’s ‘Smart Border’: How will the new high-tech security grid work? Le was arrested for carrying a dangerous weapon and for possession of a guillotine, police said. They said they have confiscated the guillotine. According to statements given by the suspect's brother to the Los Angeles Times, the guillotine was built and transported as a "symbol of disapproval". The brother noted that Le was deeply dissatisfied with the American political system, harbouring strong dislikes for both major political parties, including President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom

US Capitol Police arrested a California man after finding a guillotine in his pickup truck parked near the Capitol complex in Washington, DC.

Man arrested near US Capitol with guillotine in pickup truck: What happened?

In the Indian western state of Gujarat, a couple has committed suicide in a sinister, horrific manner. The married couple used a guillotine to decapitate themselves on Sunday. The incident took place in the Vinchiya village of Vinchiya taluka in Rajkot district. Police, as per a TOI report, are investigating whether the dual suicide was part of a superstitious or black magic ritual.&nbsp;

The deceased, a couple in their mid-30s, have been identified as Hemu Makwana and Hansa Makwana. The parents of two children — a 13-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter left behind a handwritten note.

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The suicide note which was written in Gujarati said that they had willingly killed themselves and that no one was to be blamed. The&nbsp;note, signed with their thumbprints, indicated that Hansa was not feeling well.

Reportedly, a day before killing themselves, the Makwanas sent their two children to their maternal uncle's house. Upon returning, the teenage children discovered the decapitated bodies of their parents.

Vinchiya police sub-inspector Indrajitsinh Jadeja told the press that their bodies have been sent to Rajkot civil hospital for forensic postmortem.&nbsp;

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Jadeja also revealed some gory details of the double suicide. As per him, the "couple used a make-shift guillotine to end their lives."

He said that "it is believed that they pulled up the blades of the guillotine themselves and released it in such a manner that their heads fell into a 'havan kund'," said Jadeja. Here 'havan kund' may refer to a vessel used in fire rituals where offerings are burnt as a prayer to the gods.

Near the 'havan kund' they had placed a makeshift temple and a picture of lord Shiva, along with a mud&nbsp;Shivling (an idol dedicated to Lord Shiva).

Police are recording statements of family members to help identify the reason behind this drastic step. The officials, however, say that they believe that the couple was not facing any financial problems or engaged in any family disputes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the Indian western state of Gujarat, a couple has committed suicide in a sinister, horrific manner. The married couple used a guillotine to decapitate themselves on Sunday.

In the Indian western state of Gujarat, a couple has committed suicide in a sinister, horrific manner. The married couple used a guillotine to decapitate themselves on Sunday. The incident took place in the Vinchiya village of Vinchiya taluka in Rajkot district. Police, as per a TOI report, are investigating whether the dual suicide was part of a superstitious or black magic ritual. The deceased, a couple in their mid-30s, have been identified as Hemu Makwana and Hansa Makwana. The parents of two children — a 13-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter left behind a handwritten note. Also read | ‘Urban elite concept’: Indian govt opposes same-sex marriage as SC to begin hearing The suicide note which was written in Gujarati said that they had willingly killed themselves and that no one was to be blamed. The note, signed with their thumbprints, indicated that Hansa was not feeling well. Reportedly, a day before killing themselves, the Makwanas sent their two children to their maternal uncle's house. Upon returning, the teenage children discovered the decapitated bodies of their parents. Vinchiya police sub-inspector Indrajitsinh Jadeja told the press that their bodies have been sent to Rajkot civil hospital for forensic postmortem. Also read | India: Kashmir to produce mustard oil worth $98 million this year, says government Jadeja also revealed some gory details of the double suicide. As per him, the "couple used a make-shift guillotine to end their lives." He said that "it is believed that they pulled up the blades of the guillotine themselves and released it in such a manner that their heads fell into a 'havan kund'," said Jadeja. Here 'havan kund' may refer to a vessel used in fire rituals where offerings are burnt as a prayer to the gods. Near the 'havan kund' they had placed a makeshift temple and a picture of lord Shiva, along with a mud Shivling (an idol dedicated to Lord Shiva). Police are recording statements of family members to help identify the reason behind this drastic step. The officials, however, say that they believe that the couple was not facing any financial problems or engaged in any family disputes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Couple in India's Gujarat commit suicide, decapitate themselves using guillotine

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