TRIPwire, 24 September 2020

On 23 September 2020, at approximately 2245 hours local time, officers from the Seattle Police Department (SPD), responding to protests outside the East Precinct on Capitol Hill, identified and attempted to arrest a protestor who threw a pyrotechnic device through an East Precinct gate, which detonated near bike officers. Protestors cut security cameras around the precinct, set fires, and threw unspecified explosive devices, pyrotechnics, and other objects at the responding officers throughout the evening. Thirteen demonstrators were arrested for property destruction, resisting arrest, failure to disperse, and assault of an officer. Multiple officers sustained injuries, although it is unclear if any were device related. The investigation is ongoing.

TRIPwire, 19 October 2018

On 18 October 2018, media reported that the Pierce County Sheriff Department Hazardous Devices Squad (PCSDHDS) responded to two pyrotechnics concealed inside a pumpkin in Puyallup. A resident discovered a pumpkin with two protruding fuses and contacted the Puyallup Police Department . The PCSDHDS responded and rendered safe the two pyrotechnics. The investigation is ongoing. 

TRIPwire, 30 July 2020

On 26 July 2020, Seattle Police Department (SPD) Arson/Bomb Squad detectives impounded and searched an abandoned van near the SPD’s East Precinct after witnesses reported seeing people distributing commercial pyrotechnics, nails, improvised spike strips, bear and pepper spray, baseball bats, gas masks, and more from inside the vehicle during protests on 25 July. Some of the commercial pyrotechnics were taped together to increase their explosive power. According to authorities, officers at the protests first reported the van at approximately 1625 hours local time on 25 July. After the 25 July protests, the van was abandoned in the vicinity of the SPD East Precinct. Investigators examined the van and concluded it was safe to move and impound prior to executing the search warrant. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

TRIPwire, 15 February 2018

On 13 February 2018, Everett Police Department officers arrested an 18-year-old man suspected of planning a small arms attack, using an assault rifle, and explosives on his high school in Everett. The suspect was reported to police by his grandmother with whom he was living. The suspect reportedly wrote in a journal about a plan to make inert grenades functional using black powder and about his research into the construction of IEDs using pressure cookers. The journal also documented his plans for emplacement of explosives in the school to maximize casualties. Officers who searched the suspect’s room found two inert grenades, a semiautomatic rifle, and other evidence that linked the suspect with a robbery of a convenience store on 12 February 2018. Prosecutors stated that the robbery was intended to provide money to finance the school attack. The suspect was charged with attempted murder, assault on a police officer when he attempted to escape during his arrest, and robbery.