FBI Investigates Arson at Kansas City Tesla Charging Station

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The FBI is investigating an arson incident at a Tesla charging station in Kansas City that occurred March 17, leading to the arrest of a 19-year-old college student from Boston.

Owen McIntire, a student at Boston College, was taken into custody by federal authorities in Boston on Friday. He faces charges of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and malicious damage by fire to property used in interstate commerce, according to court documents.

According to an affidavit, a Kansas City Police officer noticed smoke coming from a Cybertruck parked outside a Tesla Center shortly before midnight. Upon further investigation, the officer discovered a Molotov cocktail intact near the burning vehicle.

Fire crews responded to extinguish the flames, which had spread from the Cybertruck to another vehicle and damaged two Tesla charging stations. The two Cybertrucks, valued at $105,485 and $107,485 respectively, along with the charging stations, which each had an estimated value of $550, suffered significant damage.

Authorities found video footage of an individual believed to be McIntire wearing a large hat, lighting multiple incendiary devices, and throwing them towards the Cybertrucks before fleeing the scene. The hat was later recovered nearby and DNA evidence linked it to McIntire.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a stern warning regarding such criminal actions: “Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: You will not evade us. You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”

FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the seriousness of the crime, noting that it was the second arrest of the week connected to attacks on Tesla facilities. “These actions are dangerous, they are illegal and we are going to arrest those responsible,” he said.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Kansas City and Boston field offices, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department. McIntire’s initial court appearance took place in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, but details regarding his plea were not available.

Authorities also stated that McIntire’s incident is part of an alarming trend of vandalism and arson against Tesla properties, which has surged in various cities since the company’s CEO Elon Musk began his venture into government initiatives.