Man Charged with Destroying Teslas in Las Vegas Amid Anti-Musk Sentiment

LOS ANGELES, United States, 28 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – A man accused of setting fire to five Tesla vehicles and shooting at them with a semi-automatic rifle appeared before a United States court on Thursday to face federal arson charges, the Department of Justice confirmed.

Paul Hyon Kim, 36, is alleged to have orchestrated the attack on a Tesla service centre in Las Vegas, part of a wider wave of incidents targeting Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company. The attacks come amid growing unrest over government spending cuts that Musk is overseeing in his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under former President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to a statement from the Department of Justice, emergency services responded to reports of gunfire at the Tesla repair centre on 18 March.

“Investigators determined that Molotov cocktails and a .30 calibre AR-style firearm were used to damage and destroy five Tesla vehicles. The word ‘Resist’ was also spray-painted on the front of the building,” the statement revealed.

Kim was arrested a week later and has been charged with one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm and one count of arson. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for the arson charge alone.

“The Department of Justice has made it clear: anyone participating in this wave of domestic terrorism targeting Tesla properties will face severe legal consequences,” said US Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

“We will continue to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute these offenders until the message is understood.”

Tesla, founded by Musk, has found itself at the centre of public controversy in recent months, with several dealerships and numerous Tesla vehicles across the country being vandalised. The company’s stock has suffered a significant decline over the past month, reflecting investor concerns over both the ongoing attacks and the broader economic impact of Musk’s cost-cutting measures.

This incident highlights the increasing tensions surrounding Musk’s influence in both business and politics, as well as the polarising effect of his government efficiency policies. Analysts suggest that continued hostility towards Tesla could have wider repercussions for the electric vehicle industry and Musk’s broader business empire.