Seattle Man Charged With Plotting to Kill Washington Governor

A Seattle man is facing felony charges after authorities say he laid out a detailed plan to travel to Olympia and kill Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson. The alleged plot unraveled when Foster told a hospital caseworker exactly what he intended to do, bringing Seattle police and Washington State Patrol detectives into the case.

Nathaniel David Foster, 34, is charged in King County Superior Court with one count of threatening to kill the governor. Prosecutors have asked a judge to set his bail at $50,000 and bar him from contacting Ferguson, arguing he poses a danger to the public.

The Alleged Plot

According to charging documents, Foster checked himself into Swedish First Hill hospital on July 18 while experiencing suicidal and homicidal thoughts. During an evaluation, he allegedly told a caseworker he planned to take public transit to Olympia and harm the governor.

What Foster allegedly described went far beyond a vague threat. Investigators say he talked about lurking near the governor's mansion to watch where guards were positioned and when they changed shifts or took breaks. From there, authorities allege, he planned to find a weak point in security and force his way inside.

Foster allegedly said he was willing to hurt or kill anyone standing between him and the governor. He repeated similar statements to the hospital caseworker, Seattle police, and State Patrol detectives, according to the probable cause statement.

A Grievance Born in a Spokane Prison

Prosecutors say Foster's alleged motive traced back to grievances over his treatment while incarcerated at a Spokane correctional facility. He reportedly told investigators he would do what he has to do to get the result he wanted.

Court records also indicate Foster told authorities that voices in his head instructed him to carry out the alleged attack, and that he wanted to kill police officers and politicians.

A History of Violence

The case comes with a troubling criminal history. Court filings list Foster's prior convictions for second-degree robbery in 2008, third-degree assault in 2009, and third-degree malicious mischief in 2023.

Then, in 2025, he was accused of stabbing a Ralph's Thriftway employee in the face in Olympia after being greeted, according to the probable cause declaration. That case was later dismissed after Foster was found not competent to stand trial. Other 2025 charges, including custodial assault and second-degree assault, were also dismissed over competency concerns.

Arrest and What Happens Next

The case against Foster was filed on Aug. 3. He failed to appear for an Aug. 17 arraignment, prompting a judge to confirm a bench warrant. He was later booked into the King County Jail on a separate third-degree malicious mischief allegation, with Seattle police taking him into custody on Aug. 25.

Ferguson's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The governor has not publicly addressed the threat.

Foster remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing. Prosecutors want the $50,000 bail and a no-contact order to keep him away from Ferguson while the case moves through the courts. The charging documents serve as another reminder that threats against elected officials are taken seriously by law enforcement, with quick reporting by hospital staff helping to stop the alleged plot before anyone was hurt.