A college student from Boston, Owen McIntire, 19, was arrested for allegedly attempting to set fire to a Tesla facility in Kansas City, Missouri using Molotov cocktails. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that the incident occurred last month, leading to two Cybertrucks being burned.
Law enforcement officials connected McIntire to the crime through surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and forensic evidence. He now faces federal charges for unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and malicious damage caused by fire to property involved in interstate commerce.
In response, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI Boston office condemned violent acts, stating: “Peacefully protesting is protected activity. Arson and destruction of property are violent crimes. There are productive ways to express your desire for change but violence will never be one of them.” This incident marks the second arrest in a week related to attacks on Tesla facilities.
According to officials, McIntire is originally from Missouri and was taken into custody on Friday.