BREAKING: Seattle man arrested for plot to murder Gov Bob Ferguson, his guards and staff

According to court documents obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Nathaniel David Foster, 34, was charged with one count of threats against the governor after allegedly describing the plan repeatedly to a hospital caseworker, Seattle police officers and Washington State Patrol detectives. Foster later failed to appear for his August 17 arraignment, prompting a King County judge to confirm a bench warrant for his arrest.

According to a Washington State Patrol probable-cause certification, Foster checked himself into Swedish Medical Center’s First Hill campus in Seattle on July 18 while experiencing suicidal and homicidal ideations.

A hospital caseworker notified authorities after Foster allegedly said he intended to harm Ferguson. Hospital personnel informed investigators that Foster was not free to leave and was being evaluated for possible involuntary commitment at a mental health facility.

Prosecutors allege Foster described his plan to the caseworker, Seattle police officers and Washington State Patrol detectives. Foster allegedly told a Seattle police officer that he would take a bus to Olympia, “lurk around the governor’s mansion” and observe the guards’ locations, shifts and breaks before exploiting a security weakness and forcing his way inside. He allegedly said he would assault or kill guards and members of Ferguson’s staff if necessary to reach the governor.

During a subsequent interview with state patrol detectives, Foster allegedly identified the bus routes he intended to use and said he would begin attacking the governor’s staff if he could not reach Ferguson himself.

Investigators said Foster’s alleged threats were connected to grievances regarding alleged sexual abuse or mistreatment in Spokane correctional institutions. Foster reportedly said the issue was not receiving enough attention and allegedly believed attacking Ferguson or members of his staff would draw attention to his claims. The filings do not provide further details about the allegations or indicate whether they were substantiated.

When given an opportunity to say he no longer intended to carry out the threatened violence, Foster allegedly responded that he was unsure and “would do what he has to do to get the result he wants.”

Prosecutors requested that bail be set at $50,000, describing Foster as a “highly dangerous individual” who was unlikely to respond to a summons and could commit a violent offense if released. They also requested an order prohibiting him from contacting Ferguson.

Foster was scheduled to appear before King County Superior Court Judge Nelson Lee on August 17. According to the clerk’s minutes, Foster “failed to appear,” and a bench warrant was issued.

The court filings also cite a May 2025 Olympia case in which Foster was accused of entering Ralph’s Thriftway and stabbing an employee in the face shortly after the employee greeted him. Foster allegedly told police that voices in his head instructed him to carry out the attack.

According to the certification, Foster also “passionately explained” during that investigation that he wanted to kill police officers and politicians and said he wanted to track down politicians. The filing does not identify any officers or politicians he allegedly intended to target or explain what motivated those statements. Court records indicated that Foster was subsequently found incompetent to stand trial in the stabbing case.

Foster’s documented convictions include second-degree robbery in 2008, third-degree assault in 2009 and third-degree malicious mischief in 2023. Prosecutors also listed multiple cases that were dismissed because of competency issues, including fourth-degree assault in 2017, harassment in 2022, assault in 2023, third-degree assault and second-degree malicious mischief in 2024, and second-degree assault and custodial assault in 2025.

The Washington State Patrol described Foster’s broader record as including multiple assaults, manufacture and delivery of controlled substances, robbery, malicious mischief and dangerous weapons violations. Investigators said Foster carries a “High Violent” risk classification.