A 19-year-old Kansas City resident has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to two Tesla vehicles at a dealership in Missouri, as announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday. Owen McIntire, who is currently attending college in Boston, was taken into custody after an incident on March 17, 2025, during which he reportedly hurled Molotov cocktails at the vehicles while home for spring break.
The arson attack occurred around 11:16 p.m. when a Kansas City Police Department officer noticed smoke billowing from a grey Cybertruck parked at the Kansas City Tesla Center. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered an unbroken incendiary device nearby, which is believed to be a Molotov cocktail. The flames not only engulfed the first Cybertruck but also spread to a second vehicle and damaged two charging stations, with total damage estimates reaching over $200,000.
McIntire faces serious federal charges, including one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of malicious damage by fire of any property used in interstate commerce. The two Cybertrucks involved in the incident were valued at $105,485 and $107,485 respectively, while the charging stations were each valued at approximately $550.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stern warning regarding the incident, stating, "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." This arrest marks the second case this week related to arson attacks on Tesla properties, with another suspect, Jamison Wagner from New Mexico, facing similar charges for separate incidents involving arson at a Tesla dealership and the Republican Party's state headquarters in Albuquerque.
The FBI has been actively pursuing these cases, with Director Kash Patel emphasizing the agency's commitment to cracking down on domestic terrorism and violent acts targeting Tesla. In a statement on social media, Patel noted, "This is our second Tesla-related arrest this week as our FBI teams continue our aggressive work to crack down on domestic terrorism cases like this one."
Witnesses reported seeing McIntire fleeing the scene shortly after the attack, and video footage from nearby security cameras allegedly captured him throwing the incendiary devices. The FBI also utilized GPS data from McIntire's phone to confirm his presence at the dealership during the time of the incident.
The evidence collected by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) included the Molotov cocktail, which was reportedly made from an empty apple cider vinegar bottle filled with gasoline and a towel. This cocktail was found intact at the crime scene, while another exploded and caused significant damage.
In addition to the damages inflicted on the vehicles and charging stations, the incident has raised concerns about a pattern of attacks on Tesla properties across the country. Since Elon Musk's controversial leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began, there has been an uptick in vandalism and arson targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles in various states, including Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
As the investigation continues, authorities have made it clear that they will not tolerate such violent acts. "These actions are dangerous, they are illegal, and we are going to arrest those responsible," Patel stated. If convicted, McIntire could face a minimum prison sentence of five years.
McIntire made his initial court appearance on Friday, April 18, 2025, in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. As of now, it remains unclear whether he has entered a plea regarding the charges against him. His attorney's information was not available at the time of the report.
The rise in attacks on Tesla properties reflects a broader backlash against the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, as public sentiment regarding his policies and actions continues to polarize. Protests and incidents of vandalism have been reported nationwide as individuals express their discontent with Musk's leadership and the implications of DOGE's initiatives.
McIntire's case is being closely monitored as part of the FBI's ongoing efforts to address domestic terrorism and violent crime. As the legal proceedings unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such reckless actions and the serious legal repercussions that can follow.
