A 32-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police after posting a video online in which he threatened violence against law enforcement, prompting immediate action from the department's SWAT team and investigative units. According to a report from the Seattle Police Department, the suspect was found near Seattle Police Department’s West Precinct yesterday following his alarming statement, "I’m on my way to a police precinct to stab one in the throat…see if they stop me."
The alarming video led to the temporary closure of the Seattle Police Headquarters and all five police precinct lobbies as detectives scurried to pinpoint the man’s identity and locate him. They believed the threat to be credible, which led them to take swift action to find and apprehend the suspect. Upon encountering the police, the individual fled, then led officials on a pursuit that ended in an arrest at a building in the 400 block of Minor Avenue after broadcasting his attempted escape and arrest live on social media.
While the harrowing situation was brought to a resolution approximately 3 and a half hours after the initial discovery of the post, details emerged of the suspect's further intentions as he live-streamed his arrest and declared he planned to infiltrate an apartment and leap from a window; fortunately, these plans were thwarted by the responding SWAT team. A subsequent search of the suspect's dwelling by the ISU detectives came up empty for the weapon he displayed in the video.
Upon arrest, the subject was taken to Harborview Medical Center for an assessment and then processed at King County Jail, where he faced charges including Investigation of Harassment and Threats to Bomb or Injure.
