Intruder vandalizes Washington State Capitol, topples statues, sets reception room on fire | World News - The Indian Express skip to contentAdvertisementThe vandal was taken into custody and the attack doesn’t seem to appear politically motivated, said the Washington State Patrol on Monday.By: Express Web Desk October 7, 2025 04:59 AM IST First published on: Oct 7, 2025 at 04:59 AM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookIn this undated photo provided by the Department of Enterprise Services, a Washington state government agency, the bust of George Washington sits toppled over inside the capitol in Olympia, Wash., after an intruder broke in and vandalized the Legislative building. (AP)An intruder broke into the Washington State Capitol building on Sunday night and smashed a glass door, toppled statues of George Washington and Martin Luther King Jr., set fire in an ornate reception room known for hosting heads of state and also set fire to a rug and flag before being taken into custody by state authorities, AP reported.The vandal was taken into custody and the attack doesn’t seem to appear politically motivated, said the Washington State Patrol on Monday. The man has a history of mental health challenges, said Chris Loftis, spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol.AdvertisementIn this undated photo provided by the Department of Enterprise Services, a Washington state government agency, county flags sit burned on marble steps inside the capitol in Olympia, after an intruder broke in and vandalized the Legislative building. (AP)Detailing about the charges leveled against the man, Loftis said the vandal has been booked into Thurston County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary, first-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief, AP reported. The man was identified as Gunnar Schubert, 29, who has been experiencing a mental health issue. The Thurston County Jail confirmed that the man has been denied bail.Last night, an intruder broke into the Legislative Building and damaged several facilities and historical artifacts. There was significant damage in our State Reception Room, which is a particularly important space. We are still assessing the damage.— Gov. Bob Ferguson (@governorferguson.bsky.social) October 6, 2025 at 11:34 PM“The suspect’s actions were very purposeful at the Capitol but appears to be an individual experiencing a mental health crisis of some sort,” Loftis told AP. The Washington State Patrol spokesperson added that the suspect had two hammers and he entered the building through a ground-floor office after breaking through its window, and proceeded upstairs where he damaged items as he moved through the building.Washington Governor Bob Ferguson posted details about the vandalism of the state building on social media on Monday, where he said “There was significant damage in our State Reception Room, which is a particularly important space. We are still assessing the damage.”The man parked his car in front of the Legislative Building in a flower bed in the flag circle at about 10:15pm and was spotted by someone with the Department of Enterprise Services who alerted the state patrol.(with inputs from AP)AdvertisementTop story1Gaza Peace Plan Live Updates: Israel deports Greta Thunberg and 170 Gaza flotilla activists to Greece, Slovakia2As China opens world’s tallest bridge, here are the top 10 tallest bridges in the world3‘Why you’re so f***ing negative, this is a win’: Trump tells Netanyahu on Gaza peace plan4‘Dragged by hair, kept in infested cell’: Greta Thunberg accuses Israel of harsh treatment in detention5US woman pleads ‘how much can I give you to stop?’ during NYC apartment rape, suspect arrestedAdvertisementLoading Taboola...SubscribeSign InJournalism of CourageTop CategoriesLATEST STORIESWomen’s World Cup: Nonkululeko Mlaba triggers New Zealand collapse as South Africa bounce back with morale-boosting winCollusion, gatekeeping in AI: CCI calls for industry self-regulation, self-auditsItaly bans pro-Palestinian October 7 demonstration in Bologna as tensions risePrivate school in Ahmedabad served show cause notice as DEO team detects 13 ‘irregularities’ during surprise checkWorld Junior Championships 2025: India’s Gen Z shuttlers off to winning start against Nepal in GuwahatiJudge denies trump administration’s request to delay Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case over government shutdownMaharashtra FDA directive against sale, use & distribution of cough syrup‘What’s the big deal in Hikaru Nakamura throwing Gukesh’s king?’ American Gambits co-owner PrachuraDenied medical insurance claim over ‘alcohol use’, consumer panel orders insurance firm to pay Rs 4-lakh relief to Chandigarh residentTazmin Brits edges past Smriti Mandhana, becomes first ever player to score five centuries in a calendar year in women’s ODIsDilip Khedkar seeks anticipatory bail after road rage, kidnap caseBrazil’s Lula asks Trump to remove tariffs and sanctionsTo be inaugurated by PM tomorrow: Navi Mumbai airport built to withstand most extreme weather events, say officialsTraders association in Surat blacklists 70 from UP, Bihar, West Bengal for defaulting on payment worth Rs 9 crore‘Bouncing bat law’: MCC issues statement on Muneeba Ali’s run out in Women’s World Cup match against India‘Geopolitical balancing shouldn’t take India too far away from West’