Olympia Capitol Intruder Arrested After Fires, Toppling Busts

An intruder, identified as Gunnar Schubert, 29, broke into the Washington State Capitol Legislative Building in Olympia late Sunday, toppling busts of George Washington and Martin Luther King Jr., smashing windows and equipment, and setting fires in the Rotunda and the State Reception Room. Washington State Patrol troopers arrested Schubert as he exited the building; officers found hammers, a bottle of Zippo lighter fluid and a lighter, and he was booked on first-degree arson, first-degree burglary and first-degree malicious mischief and denied bail. Officials said the roughly 10-minute attack did not appear politically motivated and that troopers were on scene within about 30 seconds; authorities attributed Schubert's actions to a mental-health crisis. Gov. Bob Ferguson and legislative leaders condemned the vandalism, said the State Reception Room and other historical artifacts suffered significant damage, and the Department of Enterprise Services is assessing repair needs. Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and others warned the incident highlights rising violent rhetoric and pledged to review and adapt Capitol security as investigations continue. No injuries were reported.