OLYMPIA, Wash. — The water damage is bad, but a fire earlier this month at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu of Olympia could have been much worse.
“First and foremost, this gym exists to help people become better people. This individual we knew had some challenges and we felt a lot of compassion for them,” said Shane Heart of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Fire crews responded to a fire at the gym off Black Lake Boulevard Southwest on Feb. 18. Investigators suspected arson; gym management suspect a member of the gym and Olympia police confirmed their fears.
Court documents reveal 24-year-old Andrew Clark was arrested Monday, charged with arson and burglary. Documents state that Clark was vocal about his distrust of police and the military, and possibly aimed his anger at the police and veterans who trained at this gym.
The suspect was seen on surveillance camera footage crawling through an exterior window and dousing the gym mats with a propellent before setting it on fire.
“We really try and do a lot to support to community and make it a safe place for everyone and we pride ourselves on that and to come in and see that somebody threatened that was pretty emotional,” Heart said.
Investigators found a red gas can near the property and a cigar wrapper from a unique individual wrapped cigar sold at a nearby store, whose management said that exact brand was only sold on "two occasions in January of 2024." Video from one of those transactions revealed the man – one who did not hide his views on social media – the same man gym members and police suspected.
“Yeah, it sucks. It cost a lot of money It cost us time people haven’t been able to get in and do this, but it allows us the chance to grow and serve even better,” said gym owner Robert Owens.
Owens, is a former schoolteacher and a military veteran. He said he’s not deterred by the act of violence that nearly took his gym. He's drawn to the martial art because he said it forces you to confront your demons.
“Whatever you think that you might understand about yourself or the world around you this art has a way of showing you that you might be incorrect,” Owens said.
Gym management launched an online fundraisers, which has raised over $18,000. The gym is open on a very limited capacity and staff said they hope to be back as soon as they’re able to rebuild.