Las Vegas Metropolitan Police held apress conferenceThursday to announce the arrest of 36 - twelvemonth - old Paul Kim in connection to vehicle ardor at a Tesla Collision Center on March 18 , 2025 . Kim allegedly set fire to multiple Tesla fomite , discharged a firearm , and spray - painted “ resist ” on the building , according to office , and has been charged with both State Department andfederal crimes .
law allege Kim was the mortal seen in surveillance video on March 18 , 2025 , arriving in a blackened Hyundai Elantra , parking just east of the building and keep on base . Kim then allegedly shot the surveillance photographic camera with a rifle before change by reversal the gun on some vehicles and allegedly using Perm cocktails on the cars .
At the state level , Kim has been charged with , harmonize to a press release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department :
The word “RESIST” is shown spray painted on the entrance of a Tesla Collision Center after an individual set several vehicles on fire on 8 April 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.© Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Kim has also been charge federally in the U.S. District Court in Las Vegas , Nevada , with one count of wrongful possession of an unregistered firearm , which carries the potential for 10 class in prison , and one numeration of fire-raising , which can carry 5 - 20 years .
“ The Department of Justice has been clear : anyone who participate in the wave of domesticated act of terrorism place Tesla property will endure severe effectual consequences , ” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statementpublished online . “ We will continue to find , arrest , and pursue these attackers until the lesson is learned . ”
Las Vegas police force exhaust several video from March 18 showing someonesetting firetomultiple cars .
Images released by Las Vegas police showing 36-year-old Paul Kim, accused of setting fire to Tesla vehicles on 28 March 2025. Images: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Tesla dealerships and charging station have been the target of Vandal and arsonists over the preceding two month , ever since Tesla CEO Elon Musk fall in twoNazi - style saluteson the day President Donald Trump was inaugurated . Musk has also been conduct a squad called DOGE to break up large parts of the U.S. federal government , often deploy completely illegal tactic tounilaterally shut downprograms Musk does n’t like . Congress , which splendidly has the power of the purse , is conjecture to be the entity that choose what to fund and not fund in government , and the Senate Appropriations Committee , lately send a letterto the White House protesting the behaviour .
Musk told Fox News in an consultation Thursday night that he does n’t really worry about the “ crazy ” the great unwashed who are setting fires in arson attack against Tesla dealership , but insteadblames“the one pushing the prevarication and propaganda , ” against Tesla .
Musk says the administration is buy the farm to “ go after ” people pushing lies about Tesla
Extremely blurry image released as a “suspect photo” by Las Vegas police. Image: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police
[ prototype or embed ]
— Aaron Rupar ( @atrupar.com)March 27 , 2025 at 3:58 necropsy
Surveillance video captured from inside the Tesla collision center read someonespray - painting“resist ” on the outside of the building was also released by police , an apparent reference book to resisting Musk ’s participation in the U.S. government .
Police liberate photos of guns allegedly found at Kim ’s home as well as photo of Kim that appear to be scraped from social medium . Las Vegas police claim they identified Kim through some DNA at the shot but would n’t elaborate on how the DNA was gather when asked about it at the press conference .
police force say at Thursday ’s printing press group discussion that his societal medium presence suggests “ loose ” affiliations with Communist political theory and sympathy for Palestinians . The latter subject is view a blistering - button issue in the U.S. as federal authorities have beenkidnapping outside studentsin recent weeks for exile proceedings after they expressed support for Palestinians who are being killed by Israeli forces in Gaza . Over 50,000 Palestinians have died in that conflict since October 7 , 2023 , when Hamas belt down about 1,200 Israelis in a daytime of terror tone-beginning , localize off a war that has decimate Gaza .
None of the images released by Las Vegas police on Thursday give a clear view of the someone who was actually on the scene vandalise holding on March 18 , 2025 , and some of the mental image were exceedingly blurry . The image below , for case , was release by Las Vegas police as a “ suspect photo ” on Thursday .
Kim was pick up without incident , accord to the press conference , and police force seized electronic machine as well as a “ black gun knock with a pocket ” that cops exact “ had pink residue on it . ” The spray pigment used on the building was pink .
The Las Vegas police were asked at the press league if they had any concerns they may be direct due to late news the section was swallow a talent of free Tesla Cybertrucks from a mystery donorlast month . The constabulary said they were not apprehensive .
“ As promise , act of violence and vandalism will not be stomach , and today law enforcement personnel acted quickly to arrest an individual on charge including arson , ” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a argument . “ Under Attorney General Bondi ’s leadership , we will continue to pursue these investigation with the full force of law and will make for to justice anyone responsible for these attacks . ”
Daily Newsletter
Get the unspoilt tech , skill , and culture news in your inbox daily .
News from the future , delivered to your present .
You May Also Like
