Repairs to Olympia City Hall following protest to cost $7,000

Damage caused to Olympia City Hall during a Sept. 5 protest will cost about $7,000 to repair, according to city officials.

Several large windows and a glass door were broken late that night when a group of demonstrators threw rocks at the building and hit windows with baseball bats. Olympia police Lt. Paul Lower said no arrests have been made.

“We’ve got an open investigation on the vandalism, but right now we’re working on some physical evidence to come back from the (Washington State Crime Lab),” Lower said.

Police also are seeking two men who injured a motorcycle rider that night.

The department reported that the motorcyclist, a pilot stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was stopped in traffic while protesters marched in the streets. Protesters saw two Confederate flags on his motorcycle and surrounded the pilot.

Protesters rocked the bike to try to knock it over, then sprayed the pilot in the face with Mace. Some protesters beat him with a baseball bat and a glass bottle full of red paint, according to police.

The pilot suffered severe eye irritation and a bruised shoulder and back.

The only description of the assailants was that they were two white men, one about 6 foot 4. They were dressed in black and camouflage and wore masks covering their faces. Anyone with information is asked to contact 360-753-8300.

Lower said police received some calls from people who said they had knowledge of the assault, but none of the tips have led to arrests.

“None of the leads have panned out so far,” Lower said. “But we’re still working on it.”

This story was originally published September 12, 2015 at 4:43 PM with the headline "Repairs to Olympia City Hall following protest to cost $7,000."