Churches In Seattle, Bellevue Threatened With Violence

SEATTLE, WA - A Covington man has been arrested for allegedly threatening a University District church with violence, including wishing the shooting in Sutherland, Texas, had happened there instead. The 25-year-old man was arrested last week for felony harassment, and police have seized his guns.

The man allegedly began threatening the church in October, according to Seattle police. He sent emails with threats like, "time to engage the artillery and kill you all." He later posted a picture of his AR-15 assault rifle on Facebook.

The man had not been seen at the church since last year when he allegedly threatened to burn the building down. Police reported he also menaced a church group in Bellevue with threats. The recent threats came after members of the Seattle church advised the man to seek mental health treatment.

But the threats only got worse. On Nov. 7, the suspect allegedly sent an email that read, “It saddens me that you guys weren’t the ones shot instead of the ones in Texas” and “I’m hoping someone finds it in their hurts [sic] to burn you all alive in your church building.”

Seattle police were able to get a court order to seize the suspect's guns. Meanwhile, members of the Seattle SWAT team arrested him at his workplace. Police also searched his home, where they found AR-15 assault rifle.

The man has been charged by the King County Prosecuting Attorney with felony harassment.

Image courtesy Seattle police