WSP: Mill Creek Man Arrested For Threatening Governor, Staff

OLYMPIA, WA — Troopers with the Washington State Patrol arrested a man Tuesday evening during an investigation into a threatening voicemail received at Gov. Jay Inslee's office.

WSP identified the suspect as Shawn C. Rowland of Mill Creek.

Investigators said the message was left at the Governor's Office of Constituent Services earlier in the day, using a phone number linked to Rowland. According to WSP, the same phone was used to make a threat to the Virginia State Legislature in February.

"These are indeed troubling times for all of us, and there are certainly points of consideration and debate in this unprecedented pandemic environment," said John Batiste, the WSP Chief. "But no one has the right to threaten the life of the governor, or any of the people who work for or with him as they address the myriad of important considerations associated with this unique period in history."

Under Washington law, WSP is tasked with protecting the governor and providing law enforcement on Capitol grounds in Olympia.