Las Vegas, Nevada – A targeted attack rocked a Tesla repair facility in Las Vegas early Tuesday, as a person dressed in black shot and set fire to several Tesla vehicles, prompting the FBI to investigate the incident as a possible act of domestic terrorism.
Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department described the attack as intentional and aimed directly at the Tesla facility during a news conference on Tuesday. Several 911 calls reported a fire at the facility around 2:45 a.m., leading to the discovery of several vehicles on fire with the word “Resist” spray-painted on the front doors of the business.
The incident in Las Vegas follows a string of vandalism attacks against Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and vehicles across multiple states, prompting US Attorney General Pamela Bondi to classify the acts as domestic terrorism. These attacks coincide with a period of declining sales for Tesla, attributed to increased competition and the controversy surrounding CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration.
Surveillance footage revealed a person in black shooting at the cars and igniting two of them with Molotov cocktails. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire department managed to extinguish the fires before they reached the vehicles’ batteries.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is actively investigating the Las Vegas incident to pursue those responsible. Special Agent Spencer Evans emphasized that such actions are federal crimes, dismissing any notion of justification or admiration for these violent acts.
Bondi reiterated her commitment to combatting Tesla vandalism, warning perpetrators that they will face prosecution. Despite the absence of injuries, these incidents pose a financial threat to Tesla as sales continue to decline globally, with reports indicating a drop in annual sales and reduced market presence in key regions like Europe, China, and the United States.
As the investigation progresses, both law enforcement and Tesla executives remain vigilant in the face of these attacks and their potential implications for the company’s future. Contributions from various reporters helped shape the narrative surrounding these troubling events.
