Two men who purchased tickets to the Seattle Space Needle observation deck climbed over the glass safety barrier and parachuted to the ground on Friday evening, triggering an active police investigation and potential first-degree criminal trespass charges as authorities search for the suspects.
Friday Night Jump Captured on Social Media at the Space Needle
Two men scaled the glass wall of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle observation deck on Friday, leaping off the 605-foot landmark and deploying parachutes in an incident captured in numerous videos shared on social media. The BASE jump was reported to the Seattle Police Department (SPD) at around 9:21 p.m.
According to Seattle police and security guards, the two suspects entered the Space Needle at about 8:50 p.m. with purchased tickets that were scanned at the front entrance. Later, both suspects were seen on camera at the top level for viewing, standing around possibly scouting, according to Seattle police. The suspects entered the restroom and came out with their helmets on, according to SPD. Both suspects then approached the glass window facing northbound, with Lake Union in the background; the two men then ran and jumped over to the opposite side of the glass. Videos on social media captured by visitors at the Space Needle show two people reportedly BASE jumping. The two individuals climbed over the glass, doing back flips before disappearing. Other videos showed the individuals using parachutes, gliding down.
Police and Security Response to the Daring Stunt
Both were on the ledge and did a back flip off, according to SPD. Space Needle security officers were uncertain of the location where they landed. The two suspects were not found by officers, according to SPD. The Seattle Police Department General Investigation Unit is leading the ongoing investigation, and as of Saturday night, the search continues for the suspects.
The jumpers face trespassing charges, or more specifically first-degree criminal trespass, according to a report provided by Public Affairs Officer Brian Pritchard. Police described the first suspect as a man in his late 20s wearing a white helmet, white shirt, white shorts and a white and black backpack. The second suspect is described as a man in his late 20s wearing a black shirt with color prints, black pants and a blue and pink backpack.
Landmark Officials Cooperate With Investigators
The Space Needle confirmed it is aware of what it described as an illegal incident and said it is cooperating with investigators.
We are aware of an illegal incident at the Space Needle and are working closely with the Seattle Police Department,
the landmark said in a statement. We are reviewing security footage and assisting with the active investigation.
Space Needle officials also provided a statement to FOX 13 Seattle reiterating that they can confirm there was an illegal incident at the landmark, are working closely with the Seattle Police Department, are reviewing security footage, and are assisting with the active investigation. The Space Needle did not provide additional details about the individuals involved or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
BASE jumping is an extreme sport where people leap from fixed objects—Buildings, Antennas, Spans (bridges), and the Earth (cliffs)—and use a parachute to land. The acronym stands for:
- Buildings – fixed structures like skyscrapers or towers.
- Antennas – communication masts or radio towers.
- Spans – bridges and overpasses.
- Earth – natural cliffs, mountains, and rock formations.
BASE jumping differs from skydiving due to the altitude: jumps happen at much lower heights, usually between 100 and 4,000 feet above the ground. The popular attraction features a round observation deck surrounded by high glass windows that are open to the sky above.
Worth a look