Olympia Man Charged After Allegedly Destroying $240K of Chihuly Glass, Attacking Seattle Museum Security Guard
Alexander Taylor Weis, 40, faces burglary, assault, and malicious mischief charges after a late-night rampage shattered dozens of iconic glass sculptures at Seattle Center
An Olympia man was arrested Monday night after allegedly smashing more than $240,000 worth of iconic glass sculptures at Seattle’s Chihuly Garden and Glass museum — and attempting to stab a security guard with broken shards.
Seattle Police Department officers responded to Seattle Center shortly after 11 p.m. on March 16 following reports of a man destroying glass plant sculptures on museum grounds. When security personnel located the suspect inside a restricted area of the famed exhibit, he allegedly hurled broken glass at the guard and repeatedly tried to stab him with a jagged shard. The guard escaped without injury and retreated to a safe location while awaiting police.
“He had broken the glass, he actively threw glass at the security guard and was actively trying to stab that security guard multiple times with the piece of glass,” SPD Detective Brian Pritchard told KOMO News. “Security was able to break away, leave the area for his safety.”
Officers arrived to find a trail of large, colorful glass fragments scattered across the museum’s walking paths. The suspect, identified in court documents as Alexander Taylor Weis, 40, of Olympia, was still on scene. Police formed a contact team to take him into custody, but Weis reportedly became combative and refused to comply with commands before officers subdued and arrested him.
Investigators determined that Weis had entered a secure, non-public area of the museum and systematically destroyed approximately 12 glass plant sculptures — each valued at roughly $20,000 — for a total loss estimated at nearly $250,000. The works are part of the celebrated collection inspired by world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Weis was booked into King County Jail and faces charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, and first-degree malicious mischief. A judge set bail at $100,000 and issued a no-contact order. Weis initially refused to appear in court, but a judge found probable cause to hold him on all charges.
Despite the extensive damage, museum staff cleared the debris and Chihuly Garden and Glass reopened the following morning as scheduled. Officials said the damaged artwork has been removed and replacement pieces are expected in the coming weeks.
No motive has been established. The investigation is ongoing.