Democratic convention volunteer arrested for break-in and arson at Washington State Capitol

A man who recently served as a sergeant-at-arms for the Washington State Democratic Party’s convention has been arrested after breaking into the Washington State Capitol building Sunday night, damaging historic artifacts, and setting an American flag on fire in what authorities described as a fast-moving and destructive incident.

The suspect, identified as Gunnar Schubert, was taken into custody by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) after troopers responded to an alarm inside the Legislative Building shortly after 10:15 p.m. Schubert was later booked into the Thurston County Jail on multiple felony charges.

According to the WSP, Schubert parked his vehicle on a flower bed in the flag circle in front of the Capitol and broke into the building using two hammers through a ground-floor office window. As he moved through the building, he vandalized card readers, hand sanitizer stations, and other small equipment before reaching the Rotunda and third floor, where he tipped over busts, threw flags to the ground, and burned one.

He then entered the State Reception Room, where he started a fire that caused significant damage before troopers apprehended him as he exited the building. The entire episode lasted roughly 10 minutes from start to capture. No one was injured.

Schubert was charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree arson, and first-degree malicious mischief. Following his initial court appearance, Judge Chris Lanese ordered Schubert to undergo an evaluation to determine whether he should be sent to an involuntary mental health treatment facility.

Investigators emphasized there is no indication of political motivation, describing Schubert as “a troubled young man experiencing a mental health crisis.”

Schubert is also a former shortstop with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, having played in 2017 and 2018. He was later drafted by the Miami Marlins as the 837th overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft before being released from the organization.

The Department of Enterprise Services, which oversees state buildings, is assessing the extent of the damage and preparing repair cost estimates.

Lt. Gov. Denny Heck issued a statement following the incident, warning of rising hostility in public life: “Over the last several years, there has been a significant escalation in both violence-tinged political rhetoric and actual violence,” Heck said. “We can continue to adapt security measures, and we will, designed to prevent and deter such incidents. The fact remains, however, that we must all do our part in turning down the temperature. Violent rhetoric, property destruction, and violence against individuals are a cancer on our democratic society.”

The investigation remains ongoing.