News Summary
Owen McIntire, a 19-year-old UMass Boston student, has been arrested for allegedly firebombing a Tesla dealership in Kansas City using Molotov cocktails. The incident caused significant damage to Tesla Cybertrucks and charging stations, leading to federal charges against McIntire. Surveillance footage helped identify the suspect, and federal investigators recovered evidence linking him to the crime. Authorities have issued warnings against violent actions targeting property, emphasizing the serious consequences perpetrators will face.
Kansas City, Missouri – A 19-year-old UMass Boston student, Owen McIntire, has been arrested for allegedly firebombing a Tesla dealership in Kansas City using Molotov cocktails while on spring break. He faces serious federal charges, including unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and malicious damage by fire of property involved in interstate commerce.
The events unfolded on March 17, when McIntire allegedly threw multiple Molotov cocktails at two parked Tesla Cybertrucks at the Tesla Center in Kansas City. At approximately 11:16 p.m., a police officer stationed nearby noticed smoke rising from one of the vehicles and discovered an intact Molotov cocktail located close to the burning Cybertruck. The fire quickly spread between the two Cybertrucks, leading to a significant amount of damage to both vehicles. Estimates value the Cybertrucks at approximately $105,485 and $107,485, respectively. In addition to the vehicles, the fire also harmed two Tesla charging stations, each valued at around $550.
Federal investigators, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), were able to recover crucial evidence related to the attack, including the Molotov cocktails McIntire allegedly used. Surveillance footage played a key role in identifying the suspect, as he was seen wearing dark clothing and a distinctive large white hat during the incident. This hat was later found near the crime scene and contained DNA evidence linking it directly to McIntire.
The arrest of McIntire marks the second occurrence this week involving attacks on Tesla properties and vehicles, as stated by the FBI. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has issued a stern warning to anyone contemplating similar violent actions, emphasizing that they will face prosecution and potentially extensive prison sentences. In a related statement, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reiterated that the department will not engage in negotiations with individuals who commit violent acts against property.
The FBI has also stressed the difference between acceptable peaceful protest and violent action, underlining the significant nature of the charges facing McIntire. UMass Boston has confirmed that McIntire is a current student at the university and noted that campus police assisted federal agents during his arrest, which appeared to occur without incident.
Following his initial court appearance in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, McIntire was ordered to be held until a detention hearing scheduled for the following week. It remains uncertain whether he has obtained legal representation at this point.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding protests related to electric vehicle manufacturers and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of resorting to violence. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and further investigations related to attacks on Tesla vehicles or properties may lead to more arrests in the future.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Wikipedia: Tesla, Inc.
- Boston.com
- Google Search: UMass Boston firebombing
- Boston Herald
- Google Scholar: firebombing case
- New York Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Violence against property
- WHDH
- Google News: Tesla dealership firebombing
