Man arrested after allegedly threatening to bomb local Democratic offices in Spokane

A Spokane man was taken into custody Wednesday after police said he threatened to blow up a labor union building, local outlet KREM2 reports.

The man, who has not been publicly identified, entered the Teamsters labor union building, which also serves as the hub for county Democrats, with a device he said was an explosive, authorities in Spokane said. Police have yet to determine whether the device was, in fact, an explosive.

The offender held one person hostage in an office amid his threats, and set a fire within the building, police told KREM. 

Police said everyone escaped safely.

“We are so relieved that no one was harmed in this reprehensible act of violence,” said a joint statement from The Spokane County Democrats and Washington State Democrats Chair Tina Podlodowski. “Our primary concern is for the safety of our volunteers and the broader community of Spokane.”

“We urge every elected official and community leader to join us in condemning this apparently politically motivated act of violence. No one should have to fear for their life simply because they participate in our political process.”

SPD is handling an incident in the 1900 block of North Division. Traffic is rerouted, please avoid the area if possible. Division and Ruby are closed between Montgomery and Indiana.

— Spokane Police (@SpokanePD) December 9, 2020