Bail set at $250,000 for man accused of trashing Harborview ER, attacking nurses
Feb 16, 2026, 4:30 PM | Updated: 5:56 pm
A Seattle police officer stands guard in Harborview hospital following a chaotic series of events inside the ER. (Photo courtesy of SPD)
(Photo courtesy of SPD)
Bail is set at a quarter million dollars for the man police said trashed the emergency room at Harborview Medical Center, attacked nurses and security guards, and created an explosion risk Saturday.
Prosecutors requested high bail, and the judge agreed.
“Just have to go with public safety, especially given where it occurred. So I will set it at 250,000,” the judge said.
Officers with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) were called to Harborview Medical Center at approximately 10:15 a.m. Saturday after receiving reports that a 29-year-old patient was trashing a trauma room.
“It appeared that almost everything in the room had been thrown around or tipped over as staff and security were fighting with [the suspect],” according to SPD.
Man lit fire, broke oxygen line, creating explosion risk, police say
The suspect first went to Harborview Medical Center the night before to have a wrist injury treated. Once staff treated and cleared him for discharge, he became enraged and started throwing items. His aggression increased to the point where he kicked and spat on nurses and guards.
According to Harborview Medical Center staff, he even tied a makeshift noose out of plastic tubing and threatened to kill himself.
Later, the suspect lit a fire in a hospital room bucket while breaking open a direct oxygen line, creating an explosion risk within the hospital.
“Security and staff intervened as an active fire in the room with the broken oxygen line could cause an explosion within the hospital,” SPD stated in its report.
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Man caused more than $100,000 in damage
The suspect was restrained by staff before he was arrested for multiple counts of assault, arson, property destruction, and interference with a healthcare facility. According to Harborview Medical Center, the suspect caused more than $100,000 in damage.
“The suspect, known to be assaultive with law enforcement, has several active warrants for his arrest,” SPD said. “Under armed police escort, an ambulance took him to King County Jail for booking.”
He’s due back in court on Thursday.
This story was originally published on Feb. 15, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.
Contributing: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio
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