A masked individual unleashed havoc at a Tesla repair facility in Las Vegas, targeting multiple vehicles in what authorities describe as a coordinated attack.
According to CNN, the FBI has launched an investigation into the incident where several Tesla vehicles were shot and set ablaze early Tuesday morning, with the perpetrator leaving behind a spray-painted message reading "Resist" on the facility doors.
The attack occurred around 2:45 a.m. when emergency services received multiple 911 calls reporting fires at the location. Surveillance footage captured the suspect, dressed entirely in black, methodically shooting at the vehicles before igniting them using Molotov cocktails. Law enforcement discovered an unexploded incendiary device inside a third vehicle, which is now being examined for evidence.
Tesla faces nationwide wave of violent attacks
The Las Vegas incident marks the latest in a series of targeted attacks against Tesla properties across the United States. Similar acts of vandalism have occurred in multiple states, including Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado. The violence appears connected to backlash over CEO Elon Musk's controversial role in the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency.
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi expressed strong condemnation of the attacks. She announced a Department of Justice investigation and promised severe consequences for perpetrators. Several individuals have already faced charges carrying substantial mandatory minimum sentences.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to the incident on social media platform X. He emphasized his company's sole focus on producing electric vehicles and questioned the motives behind the attacks.
FBI terrorism task force leads investigation
Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated unequivocally about the nature of the incident. He said, "This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility."
Special Agent Spencer Evans, who heads the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, issued a stern warning. He said:
To those who might think that something like this is justifiable or potentially even admirable, we want you to know this is a federal crime.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force has taken charge of the investigation, treating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism. While no injuries were reported, firefighters successfully contained the fires before they could reach the vehicles' batteries, preventing a potentially more dangerous situation.
Business impact amid declining sales
The wave of vandalism comes at a challenging time for Tesla, which recently reported its first-ever drop in annual sales. The company faces intensifying competition in the electric vehicle market and growing public criticism of Musk's political involvement.
Market data reveals concerning trends across Tesla's key markets. European sales plummeted by 50% in January, despite overall electric vehicle sales in the region increasing by 34%. The company's performance in China, its second-largest market, showed a 29% decline in the first two months of the year.
In the United States, Tesla experienced a 16% sales decrease between December and January, according to estimates from Cox Automotive. These figures suggest the company faces significant challenges beyond the immediate threat of vandalism.
Acts of violence raise national security concerns
The Las Vegas Tesla facility attack represents a disturbing escalation in a pattern of violence targeting the electric vehicle manufacturer. The incident involved shooting, arson, and the use of improvised explosive devices, prompting both local law enforcement and federal agencies to respond. The FBI's terrorism task force continues investigating the attack, while Attorney General Bondi has pledged aggressive prosecution of those responsible for Tesla-related vandalism. The case highlights growing tensions surrounding Tesla's corporate leadership and its connections to the current administration, even as the company grapples with unprecedented market challenges and declining sales figures across major global markets.
