SEATTLE -- A 37-year-old man is in custody following a brief standoff in North Seattle. Police say the man posted threats online against Idris Mosque in North Seattle. He also claimed to have an assault rifle and extra ammunition, according to investigators.
With that information, SWAT and hostage negotiators responded to the man’s apartment in the 11700 block of Greenwood Avenue North shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday. After a brief standoff, the man was taken into custody without incident.
“I can tell you we take this very seriously. I can tell you we are very aware of the situation in Orlando, that we are taking steps here for the individuals that choose to worship there at the mosque,” said North Precinct Captain Sean O’Donnell.
Hisham Farajallah, the mosque's Spokesperson, says police alerted him this afternoon.
“They became aware of the threat and they immediately acted and informed us immediately,” said Farajallah.
Farajallah says on the mosque’s website and on their voice machine they have condemned what happened in Orlando as a “monstrous act” and called it a “criminal massacre.”
Seattle Police say the man was previously investigated for threats against another mosque. Police are working closely with the FBI as they investigate the “rapidly developing case.”
