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The Seattle Police Department is searching for two men who climbed over the glass wall of the city’s iconic Space Needle on Friday, flipped over the edge and parachuted down from the 605-foot structure.

The jumpers face trespassing charges, according to a report provided by Public Affairs Officer Brian Pritchard.

The BASE jumpers purchased tickets and entered the Space Needle at about 8:50 p.m. Friday, according to the Seattle Police Department. The popular attraction has a round observation deck surrounded by high glass windows that are open to the sky above.

They were seen on camera at the top level of the Needle then went into a restroom, coming out with helmets on, according to police.

They ran to the glass window, climbed over to the other side, and jumped off, according to police.

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[-] doughless@lemmy.world 18 points 1 day ago

Courts frequently use the standard of whether a "reasonable person would have known" something. They might try to play dumb, but it almost definitely wouldn't work as a defense. Trespassing laws don't require signage, a clear structural barrier is enough.

[-] Theoriginalthon@lemmy.world 2 points 13 hours ago

As a reasonable person I think it was an awesome idea, and in fact think they should open this up to everyone that can base jump say every month or so.

[-] SillyDude@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 day ago

This is state by state. Where I live singage is explicitly required. Every 50ft.

Private property can trespass anyone at anytime for any reason though. That applies everywhere. Trying to get them for criminal trespass is a waste of time. What the police would like to know is exactly who they are and to trespass them from there, in just to get their records going.

[-] doughless@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago

Yes, laws do vary by state, but those signage laws typically apply to open land, not internal buildings/structures. A store doesn't need signage to prevent you from hopping over the counter to where the register is.

[-] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago

But you do not need them on your house, even if you have your windows open.

this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2026
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