Police in Las Vegas have detained a suspect for the recent attack on a local Tesla dealership.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said Paul Hyon Kim is suspected of using Motolov cocktails and a firearm against five different Tesla vehicles nearby a Tesla dealership. The suspect spotted in the footage had dressed entirely in black when committing the attack and was later identified to have arrived at the scene with a black Hyundai vehicle.
“This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility,” Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said at a press conference. “We do believe that it is isolated at this time.”
Kim was arrested on Wednesday evening and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of third-degree arson, unlawful possession of explosive or incendiary devices, four counts of destroying property, and five counts of discharging a firearm into a vehicle or structure.
Despite believing this was an isolated incident, police have increased patrols at all Tesla locations in the area as a precaution.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans has suggested that this attack carries “some of the hallmarks” of terrorism while also potentially having a “political agenda.” His remark comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi deemed attacks against Tesla vehicles and centers as “nothing short of domestic terrorism.”
TIANA LOWE DOESCHER SLAMS THE ‘TONE’ SET BY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS
Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, has slammed the attacks as “mental illness.” He has also said he is shocked by the violence displayed by these acts of vandalism.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), meanwhile, is putting pressure on Senate Democrats to condemn these attacks, stating that she would be doing resolution “to call out this domestic terrorism.”
The Justice Department has also made clear that vandalism in any form against Tesla will be fully prosecuted.
