2019 Tacoma immigration detention center attack
arson attempt in the U.S
On July 13, 2019, Willem van Spronsen firebombed a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Tacoma, Washington. He was shot dead by police after tossing lit objects at vehicles and buildings, causing one car fire, and unsuccessfully trying to ignite a propane tank.
Incident
The incident took place at 4 a.m. at the Northwest Detention Center, a privately owned detention center for undocumented immigrants. Four officers arrived at the scene and called out to van Spronsen, who they claimed was wearing a satchel and carrying flares, before reporting "shots fired". According to the statement by the Tacoma Police Department, van Spronsen, who was reported to have been carrying a rifle, "attempted to ignite a large propane tank and set our buildings on fire" and "continued throwing lit objects and firebombs at the buildings and cars". Officers promptly shot him dead. Friends of van Spronsen reportedly received farewell letters from him before the incident.
Perpetrator
Willem van Spronsen (April 24, 1950 – July 13, 2019) was a 69-year-old Dutch immigrant, carpenter, and musician from the Holland region of the Netherlands, where he was born and raised. At the time of the attack, van Spronsen lived in Vashon, Washington.
The public source identifies “2019 Tacoma immigration detention center attack” as arson attempt in the U.S. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Tacoma, immigration and detention.
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