Initial assessment details damage at Legislative Building

An initial assessment of damage caused by an intruder at the Legislative Building on Sunday evening, Oct. 5, detailed a number of acts of vandalism.

Security camera footage shows the suspect, who was wearing  jeans, a dark T-shirt and black ball cap, slowly walking through the building on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia.

Along the way, he tossed a number of flags, pulled down security ropes and, at one point, kicked and damaged an elevator electronic card reader.

"There was significant damage to the State Reception Room, which has historic significance as a symbol of our state's democracy," said the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services in an initial assessment released on Monday evening, Oct. 6

"The room contains many priceless, irreplaceable historical artifacts, some of which were damaged."

The damage caused by the intruder, who was arrested, is listed below.

Rotunda

"The intruder entered the rotunda, pulling county flags off of the raised areas, and pulled stanchions away from the state seal," the department said.

• Rotunda stairs: Some chips and cracks, and small section of burn damage.
• Marble floors: Minor surface damage.
• State seal: Minor scratches.
• Columbia County flag: Burned.
• Other county flags: Minor scratches to the bases from being knocked over.

State Reception Room, third floor

"The intruder entered the historic State Reception Room on the third floor, knocking commemorative busts off their bases on the way," the department said.

• George Washington bust: Some cracks and chips to bust and column, with surface damage and scuffs to bronze, and chipped wood on pedestal.
• Martin Luther King Jr. bust: Light damage to statue, scratch on marble floor in front of bust, damage to base.

Once in the room, the intruder set fire to several items. The items are as follows:

• 1928 chenille rug: Significant smoke and fire damage.
• U.S. and Washington state flags: Destroyed by fire.
• Piano and non-historic piano bench: Light smoke damage and cosmetic damage to the front of the piano surface facing the bench, bench burnt beyond repair.
• Original mohair drapery and tieback: Sizeable burn damage.
• Original teak floor: Burn damage to the floor.
• General smoke and burn damage: Lingering smoke and burn smells throughout the room.
• Glass door: Historic glass entry door shattered.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES), which oversees the campus, said it has done some initial cleanup and repairs. That includes fixing the elevator digital card reader and putting out air purifiers to clear smoke.

"Total repair costs are unknown. DES is bringing in historic preservation and material experts to fully assess the extent of the damage and needed repairs. DES will share an update when a full estimate is available," the department said.