A shocking incident in Las Vegas has led to the arrest of 36-year-old Paul Hyon Kim, who is accused of setting fire to five Teslas and opening fire on them using a semi-automatic rifle.
The Department of Justice announced the charges on Thursday, revealing that Kim had targeted a Tesla business in what authorities are calling part of a wider series of attacks against Elon Musk’s electric car brand.
A Violent Outburst Amid Growing Anger
On March 18, emergency services responded to reports of gunshots at a Tesla repair center in Las Vegas.
Upon investigation, authorities found that Molotov cocktails had been thrown at the vehicles, and a .30 caliber AR-style rifle had been used to inflict damage.
In addition to the destruction of the Teslas, the front of the building was vandalized with graffiti that read “Resist.”
Serious Consequences for the Attack
Kim was arrested a week later and is facing serious federal charges, including unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm and arson.
If convicted on the arson charge, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
This marks a disturbing trend of violence against Tesla properties, which have been increasingly targeted due to growing discontent with Elon Musk’s leadership and his aggressive cost-cutting policies.
A Rising Tide of Anger Against Musk’s Policies
The attacks come amid a surge of anger over Musk’s influence, especially in his role at the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position where he’s pushing for significant government funding cuts.
The billionaire entrepreneur, who heads both Tesla and SpaceX, has faced criticism for his handling of government spending, a situation that seems to be fueling the rising hostility toward his businesses.
Warnings of Severe Legal Consequences
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi made it clear that the Department of Justice would not tolerate such acts of violence against Tesla or any other properties associated with Musk’s companies.
She warned that individuals involved in these acts of “domestic terrorism” would face severe legal repercussions.
Bondi emphasized that authorities would continue to seek out those responsible for these attacks, sending a message to deter further violence.
Tesla Faces Growing Vandalism Wave
Tesla has been the target of numerous acts of vandalism over the past few weeks.
Several dealerships across the country have been damaged, and the company’s stock price has taken a hit.
The attacks seem to be fueled by rising frustration with Musk’s approach to business and government.