A Missouri college student now faces serious legal consequences after being charged in connection with a firebombing at a Tesla dealership in Kansas City.
The attack, which occurred on March 17, destroyed two Tesla Cybertrucks and was part of a broader wave of arson attacks on Tesla locations across the country.
The Crime and Its Motivations
Owen McIntire, the 19-year-old accused of the attack, allegedly set fire to the vehicles at the dealership, in what prosecutors suggest was a response to the political ties of Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
The arson is said to be linked to a growing number of attacks against Tesla dealerships, spurred by anger at Musk’s connections to former President Donald Trump’s administration.
In a recent statement, Trump’s former Attorney General, Pam Bondi, pledged to crack down on such acts of domestic terrorism, warning that those responsible would face severe punishment.
“Anyone who attacks a Tesla property will be put behind bars,” she declared last month, sending a strong message to potential perpetrators.
FBI Steps in to Make Arrests
On Friday, FBI Director Kash Patel celebrated the arrest of McIntire as a significant step in tackling these domestic terrorism cases.
He expressed gratitude for Bondi’s support, highlighting that the FBI would continue its aggressive efforts to prevent such attacks.
“Pam Bondi has given us the support to pursue these cases, and we are acting accordingly,” Patel shared on Musk’s social media platform X, noting that McIntire’s arrest marked the second Tesla-related arrest in just one week.
The Attack at the Tesla Dealership
The firebombing incident took place around 11:15 p.m. at the Kansas City dealership.
Several Cybertrucks were set on fire, damaging not only the vehicles but also two charging stations.
Investigators found a Molotov cocktail at the scene that had failed to detonate, indicating the intent behind the attack.
McIntire, who was in Kansas City for spring break at the time of the incident, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
He is charged with unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and malicious damage by fire to property used in interstate commerce.
McIntire’s Arrest and Legal Consequences
McIntire made his first court appearance on Friday, but it remains unclear whether he entered a plea.
As part of the investigation, the Department of Justice released an image showing McIntire at Kansas City International Airport before his arrest.
Bondi reiterated her commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in such attacks.
“Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: you will not evade us,” she warned.
“You will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, and you will spend decades behind bars.”
Other Related Arrests and Protests Against Musk
McIntire’s arrest comes amidst a series of similar incidents.
Last month, Paul Hyon Kim, a 36-year-old communist, was arrested in Las Vegas for allegedly setting fire to several Tesla Cybertrucks.
Additionally, a New Mexico man named Jamison Wagner was taken into custody after a string of arson attacks on Tesla vehicles and GOP headquarters.
Wagner, 40, was accused of using homemade incendiary devices to destroy cars at the Tesla showroom in Albuquerque and set fire to a Republican Party office.
He also allegedly vandalized the showroom with anti-Musk graffiti, including swastikas and messages like “Die Elon.”
A Wider Political Backdrop
These attacks are seen as part of a broader wave of anti-Musk protests, which have erupted across the United States and globally.
Many demonstrators have taken to the streets in opposition to Musk’s political affiliations and business decisions, especially his efforts to reduce government spending and implement controversial reforms.
Protests have spread to cities such as New York, London, and Lisbon, where activists have rallied against Musk’s influence on politics.
In New York, around 250 people gathered outside a Tesla showroom, holding signs and chanting slogans like “Musk Must Go” and “Democracy Must Be Protected.”
A Troubling Trend in Domestic Terrorism
The recent surge in attacks against Tesla locations and protests against Musk highlights the increasing polarization surrounding the billionaire CEO.
Authorities continue to focus on these incidents, with both the FBI and political leaders like Bondi committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions.