Seattle man charged after detailing plan to attack Washington governor while hospitalized
A Seattle patient who checked into Swedish First Hill Hospital described a scheme to travel to Olympia and assault Governor Bob Ferguson, leading to his arrest on a threat charge.
While receiving care at Swedish First Hill Hospital, Nathaniel David Foster disclosed a detailed plan to travel to Olympia and attack Governor Bob Ferguson. He said he would ride public transportation, observe guard rotations at the governor’s residence, and exploit a security weakness, willing to kill or injure anyone obstructing him. After the caseworker reported the threat, Seattle police and Washington State Patrol detectives intervened, leading to a charge of threatening to kill the governor in King County Superior Court.
Prosecutors have requested $50,000 bail and a restriction on any contact with the governor, noting Foster’s history of robbery, assault, and a 2025 stabbing incident dismissed for incompetence. He missed an August 17 arraignment, prompting a bench warrant, and was later booked on a separate malicious mischief charge. The case underscores concerns about mental-health assessments and security for public officials.
Why it matters
The alleged plot highlights risks to a state leader and raises questions about mental-health handling and public-official safety.
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