Yonathan Melaku, 22, of Alexandria, VA., was detained this morning for trespass after he was seen in Arlington National Cemetery at a time when the cemetery was closed. Initial contact with Melaku found he was carrying items which caused initial concerns about the public’s safety, prompting the FBI and other agencies to respond to the scene and roads around the Pentagon to be shut down.Melaku was initially observed in the early morning hours inside the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Ft. Myer Police detained him. United States Park Police questioned Melaku and initial investigative efforts quickly identified two potential public safety concerns, items in Melaku’s possession as well as a red 2011 Nissan vehicle found parked in a wooded area nearby the Pentagon directly off Route 27 and Route 110.Melaku also was in possession of a backpack that contained unknown materials which initially caused public safety concerns. Bomb experts at the scene, however, were able to determine that the items were non-explosive and inert. The materials in the backpack will undergo further testing at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, VA.

As part of the investigation, Melaku’s residence in Alexandria, VA was searched by the FBI with the assistance of Fairfax County Police Department.