Teslas set on fire with Molotov cocktails and shot in Las Vegas attack
A suspect armed with a gun and Molotov cocktails launched a “targeted attack” against a Tesla location in Las Vegas early Tuesday, spray painting “resist,” firing three shots and torching multiple cars, authorities said.
Gunshots and flames erupted at the Tesla Collision Center, at 6260 Badura Ave., at 2:45 a.m. in the latest violent incident involving property associated with Elon Musk, the billionaire Tesla CEO and adviser to President Donald Trump.
“This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility, ” LVMPD Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren told reporters. “We do believe that it is isolated at this time. We do not believe there is further threat to the general public.”
The suspect wore all black, and “used what appeared to be a Molotov cocktails and a firearm to conduct his attack,” Korean said.
“At least five Tesla vehicles were damaged to include two of which were engulfed in flames,” Koren continued.
The attacker “fired three rounds into different Tesla vehicles” and one un-ignited Molotov cocktail was recovered from the scene, the assistant sheriff said.
The word “RESIST” in all-caps was stray pained in red on the center’s doors.
Musk has been the point man for the Trump administration’s attempts to drastically reduce federal programs with his Department of Government Efficiency.
Those efforts have coincided with a wave of vandalism nationally that appear to be targeting Tesla vehicles and facilities.
“Violent acts like this are unacceptable,” said FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans, chief of the bureau’s Las Vegas office.
“To those who might think that something like this is justifiable or potentially even admirable, we want to let you know it’s a federal crime. We will come after you. We will find you.”
Linda Takahashi contributed.
