A man armed with hammers broke into Washington’s Capitol in Olympia on Sunday night, Oct. 5, vandalizing historic rooms and artifacts, starting a fire, and causing significant damage before being taken into custody.
Gov. Bob Ferguson said the Legislative Building was vandalized and several facilities damaged after an intruder entered through a ground-floor office window around 10:15 p.m.
The suspect, identified in court documents as Gunnar McLean Schubert, allegedly drove onto flower beds in the flag circle before breaking into the building, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
Schubert carried two hammers and went through the building smashing card readers, hand sanitizers, flags, and statues on the third floor, police said. He later set a fire in the State Reception Room, which houses historic artifacts and is considered one of the Capitol’s most significant spaces.
Troopers arrived on scene within 30 seconds, and three officers ultimately confronted the suspect as he was leaving the building. He was taken into custody after an incident that lasted roughly 10 minutes.
Schubert was booked into Thurston County Jail on charges of burglary, arson, and malicious mischief. Police said he appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis and the attack was not politically motivated.
Schubert appeared in court Monday afternoon, where a judge released him on his own recognizance and ordered a mental health evaluation.
Reactions From State Leaders
Gov. Ferguson called the destruction “significant” and thanked WSP and the Department of Enterprise Services for their quick response.
House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) called the attack “deeply troubling” and said legislative leaders are working closely with law enforcement to assess the damage and strengthen security.
“Washington’s historic Capitol is more than just a building — it is the people’s house, and it must always be a place where legislators, staff, and the public feel safe carrying out the important work of democracy,” Jinkins said.
Lt. Gov. Denny Heck condemned the violence, tying it to a broader rise in aggressive rhetoric. “Violent rhetoric, property destruction, and violence against individuals are a cancer on our democratic society,” he said.
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) has reopened the Legislative Building to the public, though some spaces remain closed while repairs and assessments continue. The full extent of the damage is still being determined.
Surveillance footage of the vandalism can be viewed on the DES website.
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