Shocking video footage shows two arsonists attempting to light a Washington State House Republican campaign office on fire.
Republican Rep. J.T. Wilcox posted the video of the 4 AM, Monday morning attack on Twitter. One of the masked individuals is seen hammering the office door glass before the other throws a flare inside the building.
Wilcox said, “Early this morning a window was smashed and a lit flare was tossed into the office of my seatmate, Andrew Barkis. The building also houses the office of the House Republican election campaign. Fortunately the flare landed on a masonry floor and the building survived.”
Early this morning a window was smashed and a lit flare was tossed into the office of my seatmate, Andrew Barkis. The building also houses the office of the House Republican election campaign. Fortunately the flare landed on a masonry floor and the building survived. pic.twitter.com/pkdc7g0uiV
— Rep. JT Wilcox (@jtwilcox111) June 13, 2022
Both of the Washington arsonists attempted to hide their identities with masks.
The building was not successfully lit on fire due to the flare landing on a stone floor. The office space holds Representative Andrew Barkis’ office and also the office of the House Republican Organizational Committee.
The Democrat governor of Washington state, Jay Inslee, condemned the violent acts late Monday night.
“Such attempts at violence are abhorrent. We’re thankful no one was hurt. Hopefully law enforcement is able to identify these individuals before they inflict any more harm,” Inslee tweeted.
Such attempts at violence are abhorrent. We're thankful no one was hurt. Hopefully law enforcement is able to identify these individuals before they inflict any more harm. https://t.co/cW3uhUdAAO
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) June 14, 2022
Washington state GOP chairman Caleb Heimlich asked if various Washington Democrats would condemn the “heinous act of political terrorism.”
“I have consistently condemned political violence. Now I am waiting to see if @GovInslee, @Tinapo, @DrKimSchrier, @PattyMurray, and other Washington Democrats will condemn this heinous act of political terrorism committed this morning.,” Heimlich tweeted.
Democrat Rep. Tina Podlodowski snarkily responded to Heimlich’s call-to-action by saying, “Oh @CalebHeimlich – it’s absolutely unacceptable that someone would break a window at the office of GOP Rep Andrew Barkis, and throw a flare inside. Whomever responsible should be caught and prosecuted @washdems. Now, you and the rest of the WA GOP acknowledge Jan 6th, K?”
Oh @CalebHeimlich – it's absolutely unacceptable that someone would break a window at the office of GOP Rep Andrew Barkis, and throw a flare inside. Whomever responsible should be caught and prosecuted @washdems. Now, you and the rest of the WA GOP acknowledge Jan 6th, K? https://t.co/BGLcBT7KbG
— Tina Podlodowski
(@Tinapo) June 14, 2022
The other Democrats Heimlich mentioned in his tweet have yet to release any public comment on the act of violence.