Threat to Seattle mosque leads to arrest, police say
A man accused of making threats against a Seattle mosque was arrested Tuesday afternoon after a short standoff, police said.
Seattle police said an out-of-state friend provided information that led to a 37-year-old man. He surrendered to a SWAT team around 3:30 p.m. at his apartment in the Greenwood neighborhood.
The man is in custody. It’s still unclear if this incident is connected to the Orlando shooting or a recent threat against a mosque in Redmond.
Police said that man posted threats online and claimed in another post to have purchased an assault rifle and extra ammunition. An out-of-state friend tipped off police.
The suspect is being investigated for malicious harassment and threats against another mosque. An anonymous threat was made against a Redmond mosque on Sunday. The FBI is assisting with both investigations.
Police said law enforcement had previously contacted the man during an investigation of harassment and threats to another mosque.
SPD Captain Sean O’Donnell says they sent a large and rapid response out of an abundance of caution.
O’Donnell: “Particularly in light of Orlando circumstance, we are taking things very seriously and reacting as appropriate given any prospective threats.”
In a news briefing, Seattle police said they are taking the threats very seriously and working to ensure safety at the mosque. Police officers ringed the Idriss mosque near Northgate Tuesday afternoon.
The incident cames a day after representatives of a Redmond mosque said it had been the target of threats.
That followed the massacre in Orlando, Florida, in which a Muslim man killed 49 people at a gay nightclub before being killed by police.
O’Donnell says police will provide extra security at the Seattle mosque. “We are taking steps here to assure the safety of the individuals who choose to worship here at the mosque, as we would for any other denomination.
Muslims are observing Ramadan this month. And O’Donnell says officials consider security measures at other locations or events as well.
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Liz Jones
Editor
Liz Jones is an editor for daily news, features and special projects. She started at KUOW in 2005 and worked primarily as a reporter until 2018. Her coverage largely focused on immigration and underrepresented communities.
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Paige Browning
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Paige hosts midday newscasts and monitors news of significance to the Puget Sound region. She hopped over Washington’s mountains to join KUOW, after hosting news and reporting at Spokane Public Radio since 2011. She began her start in radio while a journalism student at University of Montana, by sharing stories with KUFM. Paige was raised in the mountains and rivers around Spokane. In her spare time she cheers on the Mariners in the summer, and hopes for snow in the winter.
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