Gunnar Schubert, a former draft pick for the Miami Marlins, reportedly broke into the Washington State Capitol and set fire to several flags, including “Old Glory,” while also toppling numerous historic busts during a chaotic episode on Sunday night.
The 29-year-old, armed with two hammers and believed to be in the midst of a mental health crisis, made his way inside through a window and wreaked havoc for about 10 minutes, according to Fox 13 Seattle.
“Late Sunday evening, shortly after 10 p.m., a person broke a window to gain entry into the State Capitol. He proceeded to damage numerous items inside the building in a very brief timeframe,” Lt. Gov. Denny Heck stated.
Schubert, who played two seasons with Gonzaga Baseball, was drafted by the Marlins in the 28th round of the 2018 MLB draft. He spent time in minor league baseball before becoming a “journeyman ironworker,” as indicated on his LinkedIn page.
In a reckless display, Schubert drove his vehicle onto a flowerbed outside the Capitol before accessing the third floor of the rotunda, where he knocked over two “iconic” busts, damaged multiple flags, and broke the glass door to the State Reception Room.
He is also accused of igniting several items within the Capitol, including the original carpet in the State Reception Room, which Heck referred to as a “priceless treasure.”
Schubert had a known history of mental health issues, which authorities believe contributed to his outburst, according to Washington State Patrol’s Chris Loftis.
“The suspect’s actions at the Capitol seemed very deliberate but indicate a mental health crisis he was experiencing,” Loftis told the Associated Press.
Schubert is suspected of toppling two “iconic” busts, including a bronze bust of George Washington’s head, and damaging a bust of Martin Luther King Jr.
He also knocked down several flags in the rotunda and burned an American and Washington state flag into the carpet of the State Reception Room, as depicted in photos shared by the Department of Enterprise Services.
Additioanlly, damages included the 1928 chenille rug, the state seal in the rotunda, marble flooring, staircase, original mohair draperies, original teak flooring, and a piano, according to a report from the DES.
“Last night, an intruder broke into the Legislative Building, causing extensive damage to several facilities and historical artifacts,” Washington Governor Bob Ferguson remarked on X. “There was significant damage in our State Reception Room, a particularly significant space.”
Schubert was taken into custody and charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree arson, and first-degree malicious mischief as a result of his violent outburst, officials confirmed.
He was processed at the Thurston County Corrections Facility on Tuesday morning but was subsequently released on his own recognizance.
“We take pride in having the most beautiful Capitol in the nation. I am grateful for the quick response from our Department of Enterprise Services and the Washington State Patrol in safely apprehending this individual,” Ferguson added.
Restoration of the damaged property was completed, allowing the site to reopen to the public within hours on Monday, Ferguson reported Wednesday.
Heck viewed the late-night break-in as a political assault and expressed concern over the rising tide of political violence nationwide.
“In recent years, there has been a notable rise in both politically charged rhetoric and actual violence,” the 73-year-old stated. “While we will enhance security measures to prevent such incidents, we must all contribute to de-escalating tensions. Violent rhetoric, property destruction, and violence against individuals threaten our democratic society.
“As I’ve often said, democracy is worth defending,” he concluded.
In the days leading up to his alleged break-in, Schubert shared several politically charged posts on Facebook, mentioning figures such as Ferguson, US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and US Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
One of his posts featured him wearing a Marlins jersey adorned with his name, while listening to Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive.”
Schubert participated in two seasons with Gonzaga, starting in all 110 games at shortstop in 2017 and 2018. He maintained a batting average of .271 over those two years, recording 111 hits, five home runs, and an on-base percentage of .356.
After being drafted 837th overall, he bounced around the Marlins organization, reaching as high as Single-A Jupiter before his release in December 2019.
