A Las Vegas suspect has been arrested and charged with using Molotov cocktails to set multiple Tesla vehicles on fire in a shocking attack caught on surveillance cameras.
Paul Hyon Kim, 36, was taken into custody by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on Wednesday, one week after at least three Teslas were engulfed in flames at a Tesla Collision Center.
Authorities stated that the attack showed “some of the hallmarks” of terrorism. In addition to the firebombing, multiple vehicles had their windows smashed, and the word “RESIST” was spray-painted in red on the facility’s walls.
Security footage captured the moment one of the cars’ lithium-ion batteries exploded, intensifying the blaze.
Kim faces 15 charges, including destruction of property, arson, and possession of an incendiary device, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility,” Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said. “We do believe that it is isolated at this time.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate Kim’s motives while assessing whether additional security measures are needed at Tesla facilities in the area.