Suspect arrested in attempted firebomb attack on Seattle Police Officers Guild

Justin Christopher Moore, the suspect accused of conspiracy to commit an arson attack on the Seattle Police Union building in 2020, was arrested on Thursday after an extensive investigation by a multi-agency task force.

According to the Seattle Police Department, Moore, 34, allegedly brought 12 Molotov cocktails to Seattle PD union offices during an anti-police demonstration on Labor Day in 2020.

Moore was arrested by Seattle PD, the FBI, and the ATF on charges of conspiracy to commit an arson attack on the Seattle Police Officers Guild.

According to court documents, Moore and another unnamed conspirator used the messaging app Signal to formulate a plan to conduct an arson attack at the SPOG using Molotov cocktails. They planned the attack to take place on Labor Day 2020 to coincide with a scheduled demonstration at the police union.

FBI Special Agent Katherine Murphy's sworn deposition alleges that Moore and the conspirator agreed to bring 10-15 Molotov cocktails in hopes of demolishing the building. They suggested recruiting more individuals to help carry out the attack. These allegations were discovered through their conversation on Signal by special agent Murphy who specializes in domestic terrorism.

In June 2021, Seattle police officers executed search warrants on Moore's residence in Renton, Washington. During the search of the suspect's vehicle, officers found a smartphone, paperwork in Moore's name, and black plants consistent with the pants that the Molotov cocktail suspect wore on Labor Day 2020.

A list of ingredients used to manufacture explosives was found in the notebook recovered from Moore's vehicle which included, ping-pong balls, matchbooks, rocket candy, black powder, scale, potassium nitrate, magnesium, and masking tape. There were also recipes for manufacturing explosive devices included in the notebook.

During the violent demonstration at SPOG on September 7, 2020, Seattle police officers made 22 arrests for arson, assault, obstructing and failure to disperse.

The group of black-clad Antifa militants and anti-police protesters marched from the International District to SPOG. After arriving at SPOG, the group began to engage in criminal acts which prompted Seattle police officers to disperse the group after declaring the demonstration a riot.

According to Seattle PD, officers recovered intact Molotov cocktails dropped by rioters outside the building as officers began making arrests. Officers arrested a number of individuals on 4th Avenue South as rioters continued throwing rocks, bottles, and explosives thrown at them.

The crowd moved north on 4th Avenue as officers followed. A Molotov cocktail was thrown by someone in the crowd at officers, which exploded on the road.

The Seattle Police Department released a photograph of the suspect and asked for help identifying him. The suspect seen carrying the Molotov cocktails is allegedly Justin Christopher Moore.

In a separate criminal incident, Moore was released by Seattle judge Lisa Paglisotti after allegedly admitting to vandalizing a Starbucks during a riot hosted by Antifa on inauguration night.

Justin Christopher Moore is set to appear in federal court on Friday.