A Seattle man has been charged with threatening to kill Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson after authorities said he described plans to travel to Olympia, study secu
A Seattle man has been charged with threatening to kill Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson after authorities said he described plans to travel to Olympia, study security at the governor’s mansion and attack the governor or staff members.
Nathaniel David Foster, 34, was charged in King County Superior Court with one count of threats against the governor in connection with allegations dating to July 19.
According to charging documents, Foster checked himself into Swedish First Hill hospital the night before, reporting suicidal and homicidal thoughts.
A hospital caseworker told authorities that Foster had said he intended to use public transit to reach Olympia and harm Ferguson, prosecutors said.
Seattle police and Washington State Patrol detectives separately interviewed Foster, according to the probable-cause statement. Investigators alleged that he described watching guard shifts and looking for weaknesses in security so he could force his way into the governor’s mansion.
The documents say Foster also allegedly said he would attack and kill staff or security personnel if necessary.
Authorities said Foster’s alleged threats were connected to "grievances" over his treatment while incarcerated in Spokane. The probable-cause statement said he repeated similar threats to the hospital caseworker, Seattle police and State Patrol detectives.
The case against Foster was filed on Aug. 3, and he failed to appear at an Aug. 17 arraignment, causing a bench warrant to be issued. He was arrested by Seattle police on Aug. 25 in connection with a separate investigation unrelated to the governor.
Prosecutors requested that bail be set at $50,000 and that Foster have no contact with Ferguson. They cited what they described as a history of violent offenses, including prior convictions and a 2025 Olympia arrest involving an alleged stabbing.
Court records referenced in the charging documents indicate that the case was dismissed after Foster was found not competent to stand trial.
