The gunman who attacked an ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington was an anarchist, the Seattle Times reports.
The newspaper says Willem Van Spronsen was armed with a rifle and fire bombs. He tossed lit objects at vehicles and buildings — setting one car ablaze. He also tried unsuccessfully to ignite a propane tank.
He died of multiple gunshots. Listen to more on the Todd Starnes Radio Show Podcast.
Last year Van Spronsen attacked a police officer as he tried to free a fellow protester outside the same ICE detention facility.
Deb Bartley, a friend of Van Spronsen’s, told the Times he described himself as an anarchist and anti-fascist.
“He was ready to end it,” Bartley said. “I think this was a suicide. But then he was able to kind of do it in a way that spoke to his political beliefs … I know he went down there knowing he was going to die.”