Authorities say approximately $240,000 worth of glass art, roughly a dozen pieces valued at about $20,000 each, was destroyed during the incident.
A 40-year-old man is in custody after allegedly trying to stab museum staff with shards of Chihuly glass at one of Seattle’s most recognizable art attractions late Monday night.
According to police, the incident occurred just after 11 pm at Chihuly Garden and Glass, located on the grounds of Seattle Center. Officers were dispatched following reports of a man actively smashing the museum’s iconic glass plant sculptures.
When officers arrived, they were met by museum security and a scene of widespread damage. Large, colorful shards of broken glass littered walkways and surrounding areas. Security personnel quickly identified the suspect, who was still on site.
According to KOMO News, security guards initially encountered the suspect while patrolling the museum grounds. Police say the man had already destroyed multiple glass displays and escalated the situation by throwing shards at a guard while attempting to stab him multiple times. The guard was able to escape without injury and retreated to a safe area while awaiting police. “[The suspect] had broken the glass, he actively threw glass at the security guard and was actively trying to stab that security guard multiple times with the piece of glass,” SPD Det. Brian Pritchard told the outlet. “Security was able to break away, leave the area for his safety.”
Police formed a contact team to detain the man, but he reportedly resisted arrest, becoming combative and refusing to comply with commands before officers ultimately took him into custody.
Court documents obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI identify the suspect as Alexander Taylor Weis, 40, of Olympia, Washington, who was booked into King County Jail following his arrest.
According to the statement of probable cause, Seattle Center security called 911 after discovering the suspect inside a restricted, non-public area actively damaging exhibits. Authorities say approximately $240,000 worth of glass art, roughly a dozen pieces valued at about $20,000 each, was destroyed during the incident.
A judge at the suspect’s first appearance found probable cause for Burglary in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Malicious Mischief in the First Degree. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office noted concerns about public safety, stating the suspect is considered likely to reoffend and may not appear in court if released.
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