SPD’s bomb robot at work on 12th Ave (Image: @mmitgang via Twitter)

The man police say wore a mask to cover his face as he dropped a bag in front of a Seattle Police vehicle at the East Precinct headquarters and caused what prosecutors call a “massive response” to a bomb scare on Capitol Hill the weekend of the Chelsea explosions in New York City has been charged with second degree “malicious placement of imitation explosive device,” the King County Prosecutor’s office tells CHS.

David Gurz, 44, was taken into custody by police as the blocks around the precinct at 12th and Pine were cordoned off around the suspicious bag in the Sunday, September 18th incident. Police say he was caught on surveillance video but had shed some of his clothing and turned his shirt inside out as he attempted to flee the area.

Meanwhile, the police report on the incident documents a full mobilization of the precinct’s defenses as snipers were placed on nearby rooftops “to protect officers in the event of an ambush” and an examination of the bag proceeded. According to the SPD report, surveillance video showed Gurz approach the SPD vehicle, carrying the bag and with a surgical mask over his face. Police say he then “deliberately” dropped the bag in front of the car before continuing southbound on 12th Ave.

The video also revealed that the bag had “rolled” when the suspect placed it in front of the SPD vehicle, indicating the possibility of heavy explosives inside. The size of the bag also concerned police.  As people were cleared from the area and moved behind the police tape and with snipers in position above, the Arson and Bomb Squad’s robot examined the bag. An x-ray revealed it to be empty.

According to court documents, Gurz is homeless and lists a Pennsylvania address but was convicted of indecent exposure in Seattle earlier this year. Prosecutors say he was also sentenced to an 11-year term in 1998 for robbery in Pennsylvania where he was also once arrested for “terroristic threats.” Gurz said he does not suffer from substance or mental health issues, according to the court documents. Police say Gurz asked if they had video after his arrest and told detectives he only dropped the bag because it was “empty.” Police say Gurz acknowledged he knew he was dropping the bag in front of a police facility.

Recent events of terrorism and anti-police violence also escalated the situation, according to the Seattle Police report. “There have been several current events targeting police and/or using explosive devices in the US which heightened concern this could be an explosive device,” the detective’s report reads.

Gurz is currently held in King County Jail on $150,000 bail. His arraignment and opportunity to enter his plea on the charge is scheduled for early October.