Guy Who Served 2 Years in Jail for Torching Police Precinct During 2020 “CHAZ/CHOP” Fiasco Runs for Seattle City Council

A man was sentenced to 2 years for setting fire at a Seattle police station during the deadly 2020. Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), has applied to run for the Seattle City Council.

Isaiah Thomas Willoughby was released in March 2022 following a two-year prison sentence in conjunction with three years of supervised release for starting a fire outside the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct in the early morning hours of June 12, 2020. Willoughby pleaded guilty federal arson charges.

The native Tacoma has lived in Seattle as well. Submitted to run in Seattle’s District 2 against Socialist incumbent Tammy Morales.

Willoughby will be available in 2019 Candidate for City Council in District 1. However, he withdrew from that race prior to the August primary.

According to the plea agreement Willoughby was wearing bright yellow and green hoodies when he was caught on surveillance video next to debris that was piled up at the Seattle Police East Precinct. Willoughby confessed to using a gascan to put gasoline on the debris. On video, he can be seen stepping away from debris pile for a while and then returning with something that ignites and tosses onto the pile. 

Willoughby was seen leaving as the debris pile began burning. According to the Department of Justice the fire started on the side of the building but was quickly extinguished using nearby fire extinguishers. 

People recognized Willoughby after the Seattle Police Department released photos of the arson suspect. They also noted that his distinctive sweatshirt was from a clothing brand he represented. Willoughby’s family members reported to police that Willoughby was present in Seattle during the time of fire.

Willoughby did take steps to remove any posts on his social media accounts that were linked to the arson. However, some of his posts on Facebook remained and he continued to demonize police and reveal his knowledge of the East Precinct.

Officials in Seattle ordered that the East Precinct be abandoned by the police during the Antifa and BLM riots that rocked Seattle after the death of George Floyd. Rioters seize control of the area, which included 6 blocks of Capitol Hill’s neighborhood, and declare the area an emergency zone. “autonomous zone” Police are not allowed to enter areas that are off-limits.

During the zone’s 3-week existence, rapes, robberies, and murders spiked 250 percent according to the Seattle Police Department.