Tesla Arson Suspect in US Identified as Korean-American Man in His 30s

Traces of Vehicles Set on Fire with Molotov Cocktails
"Resist" Spray-Painted on Tesla Center Entrance

Amid a series of attacks targeting Tesla stores, a man in his 30s, presumed to be of Korean descent, was arrested by police for setting fire to multiple vehicles at a Tesla repair center in Las Vegas, USA.

According to Fox News and other US media on the 27th (local time), local police announced that they arrested Kim (36) on the 18th for setting fire to at least five vehicles at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas.

Kim, presumed to be of Korean descent, faces charges including property destruction, arson, and possession of Molotov cocktails. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that federal criminal charges will also be applied to Kim.

According to the police, Kim arrived near the scene by car on the day of the incident and then moved to the repair center. He was wearing gloves and black clothing, with his face covered.

He damaged surveillance cameras with a prepared firearm and set fire to vehicles using Molotov cocktails. An unignited Molotov cocktail was also found in one of the vehicles. Kim spray-painted the phrase "Resist" on the center’s main entrance.

The police confirmed that his DNA matched the DNA samples collected at the scene, and they searched two vehicles associated with Kim and an apartment, discovering several firearms, parts, and ammunition.

The scene of a Tesla vehicle arson incident in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA / Photo by AP Yonhap News

Since Kim had engaged in activities related to communist groups and Palestine on social media, the police are considering the possibility of a connection between Kim and these groups. They are also investigating whether there are accomplices involved in this incident.

In recent weeks, arson attacks targeting Tesla vehicles have occurred repeatedly at Tesla stores, charging stations, and repair centers. These repeated arson attacks appear to have spread amid growing resentment toward Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Donald Trump administration. Musk is spearheading large-scale spending cuts and workforce reductions in federal agencies.

Meanwhile, the FBI has classified the attacks on Tesla as "domestic terrorism" and has formed a dedicated task force to respond.