A 19-year-old student from the University of Massachusetts Boston has been charged with firebombing a Tesla dealership in Kansas City , Missouri, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday.
Owen McIntire , who was back in his hometown of Parkville, Missouri, for spring break on March 17, allegedly threw two Molotov cocktails at Tesla Cybertrucks parked at the dealership. One of the incendiary devices exploded, sparking a fire that spread to two vehicles and caused damage worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to federal prosecutors.
The DOJ said the fire engulfed two Cybertrucks valued at $105,485 and $107,495 respectively. The second device, which failed to detonate, was recovered intact at the scene. Authorities said it appeared to be fashioned from an apple cider vinegar bottle.
McIntire is facing one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of malicious damage by fire of property used in interstate commerce.
“Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: you will not evade us,” US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement released by the DOJ. “You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”
The FBI , which led the arrest, said this was the second such incident involving Tesla this week. “These actions are dangerous, they are illegal, and we are going to arrest those responsible,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X.
Federal officials have linked the attack to a rising pattern of extremist actions targeting Tesla, the electric car company led by Elon Musk.
On a social media account believed to belong to McIntire, a post dated March 2023 expressed emotional distress and frustration with various political and social issues. “I don’t know how to think… every time I look at the news it’s something new and awful… I need to know someone sees this,” one excerpt read.
Public records show that McIntire’s parents are both professional musicians. UMass Boston and members of McIntire’s family have not yet responded to media requests for comment.
Owen McIntire , who was back in his hometown of Parkville, Missouri, for spring break on March 17, allegedly threw two Molotov cocktails at Tesla Cybertrucks parked at the dealership. One of the incendiary devices exploded, sparking a fire that spread to two vehicles and caused damage worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to federal prosecutors.
The DOJ said the fire engulfed two Cybertrucks valued at $105,485 and $107,495 respectively. The second device, which failed to detonate, was recovered intact at the scene. Authorities said it appeared to be fashioned from an apple cider vinegar bottle.
McIntire is facing one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of malicious damage by fire of property used in interstate commerce.
“Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: you will not evade us,” US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement released by the DOJ. “You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”
The FBI , which led the arrest, said this was the second such incident involving Tesla this week. “These actions are dangerous, they are illegal, and we are going to arrest those responsible,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X.
Federal officials have linked the attack to a rising pattern of extremist actions targeting Tesla, the electric car company led by Elon Musk.
On a social media account believed to belong to McIntire, a post dated March 2023 expressed emotional distress and frustration with various political and social issues. “I don’t know how to think… every time I look at the news it’s something new and awful… I need to know someone sees this,” one excerpt read.
Public records show that McIntire’s parents are both professional musicians. UMass Boston and members of McIntire’s family have not yet responded to media requests for comment.
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