Video footage shows a male suspect throwing what appears to be a glass bottle with an ignited fabric or paper wick (i.e., a “Molotov cocktail” device) through the open driver’s side door of a police vehicle. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Video footage shows a male suspect throwing what appears to be a glass bottle with an ignited fabric or paper wick (i.e., a “Molotov cocktail” device) through the open driver’s side door of a police vehicle. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Edmonds man, 20, charged with arson during Seattle protest

He’s accused of tossing Molotov cocktails at two police vehicles during a May demonstration.

EDMONDS — An Edmonds man, charged Wednesday in U.S. District Court with two counts of arson and two more of possessing an unlawful destructive device, is accused of trying to set two police vehicles on fire during a May 30 protest in Seattle.

Kelly Thomas Jackson, 20, was arrested Wednesday and was scheduled to appear in a federal courtroom in Seattle later in the day. He’s accused of tossing Molotov cocktails into one Seattle police car and at another.

On May 30, a photograph was taken, depicting Kelly Jackson wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a patterned head covering consistent with the distinctive items worn by an arsonist the same day. (U.S. Department of Justice)

On May 30, a photograph was taken, depicting Kelly Jackson wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a patterned head covering consistent with the distinctive items worn by an arsonist the same day. (U.S. Department of Justice)

The allegations are included in a 23-page complaint written by an FBI special agent assigned to investigate domestic terrorism.

In one instance, Jackson’s accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail inside a patrol car, an unmarked 2017 Ford Explorer with emergency lights, police radios and other law enforcement equipment inside.

“After the bottle entered (the vehicle), flames spread rapidly, almost instantaneously, through the passenger compartment,” according to court papers. That vehicle was parked on Pine Street near Fifth Avenue.

Jackson is also accused of throwing a second Molotov cocktail at the windshield of another police vehicle, a 2016 Ford Explorer. It bounced off and exploded in flames on the sidewalk outside the downtown Seattle Nordstrom store.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to work closely with state, local and federal law enforcement to prosecute those who turn protected speech into violent criminal conduct,” U.S. Attorney Brian Moran said in a news release. “Not every criminal act will implicate a federal interest, but where there is federal jurisdiction we will use our tools to hold law-breakers accountable.”

“These individuals are hijacking legitimate First Amendment protected activity,” said Raymond Duda, special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle office, in the news release. “By investigating this violent activity, the messages of peaceful protests have a better chance of being heard.”

The complaint said the FBI has video of a white suspect in a gas mask, ski goggles and distinctive clothing using glass containers with a flammable material and a wick to burn or attempt to burn two police vehicles. Jackson was identified as a potential suspect after an anonymous tip to law enforcement.

As agents conducted surveillance on Jackson over the summer, they took a July 2 photograph of him outside a convenience store in what appears to be a sweatshirt with the same design and logo as the protester throwing the Molotov cocktails. The tipster also said the suspect stole a gas mask from his employer, a Mountlake Terrace plumbing company.

A court-authorized analysis of cellphone records placed Jackson in the area at the time of the fires.

Federal agents say they believe Jackson accessed web-based information on how to construct Molotov cocktails, and his iCloud account included several files documenting his participation in the demonstrations.

Arson is punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison and up to 20 years in prison. Possession of a destructive device is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Seattle, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace police departments.

Eric Stevick: stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

FILE - Former President Donald J. Trump watches the NCAA Wrestling Championships, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Lawyer: Trump indicted, 1st ex-president charged with crime

Former president Donald Trump has been indicted on charges in New York regarding payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter.

Jeanette Westover poses for a photo at her home in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tenant: Housing Hope ignored meth contamination at Snohomish apartment

Jeanette Westover says meth contamination far exceeding state limits gave her seizures and kidney infections.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Police investigating cause of fatal 3-vehicle crash on Highway 9

The man, 61, crossed the center line in Snohomish on Monday and crashed into the truck, the sheriff’s office said.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
1 dead, 1 in hospital after 3-vehicle crash on Highway 9

A concrete pumping truck and two sedans crashed Monday afternoon, closing the highway near Bickford Avenue.

Moses Malachi Brewer appears in court for sentencing Friday, March 24, 2023, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Man sentenced to 18 years for 2019 shooting in Everett

Moses Brewer, 23, shot four people in an Everett apartment, which left one victim paralyzed on his right side.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
Health care spending continues to outpace inflation, driven by prices

Can state efforts curb 6.7% growth per year in overall health care spending?

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112
A buffet of budgets, a bunch of whales and a request for your miles

It’s Day 78. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

Deputy prosecutor Craig Matheson makes closing arguments in the trial of Richard Rotter at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Friday, March 31, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jury still deliberating in trial of Everett cop’s killing

Jurors deliberated for just over three hours Friday with no verdict on the aggravated murder charge for Richard Rotter.

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112
A tax hike, a difficult compromise and a faulty Predict A Pen

It’s Day 82. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

Most Read