Suspected Capitol Shooter Captured

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Sep 22, 2004 12:32PM

The guy who police suspect in the shooting death of an unarmed Capitol security guard was arrested yesterday as he was knocking on doors asking people for a ride to the police station. Pretty much he surrendered.

The suspect, Derek Potts, is 24 and was attending college as a criminal justice major until last week when he dropped out. He has a history of mental illness including manic depression and has been off his meds. Neighbors in his apartment complex say that in the last few weeks he'd been acting "increasingly erratic."

Potts is charged with first-degree murder, burglary involving a gun, and gun violations. Police say mental health will be an issue in the case and describe Potts as "scared and frightened." He's being held on a $20 million bond and authorities are reviewing whether to seek the death penalty.

In the wake of the shooting, Gov. Blagojevich signed an executive order mandating the installation of metal detectors in the Capitol as soon as possible. For years legislators have resisted ramping up security at the Capitol, saying it would restrict the public's access to "the front door of state government." Blagojevich said, "That debate is now over."