A Las Vegas man has been arrested and charged in connection with a Molotov cocktail attack that set multiple Teslas ablaze at a local dealership.
Paul Hyon Kim, 36, was taken into custody on Wednesday by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after at least five vehicles were allegedly torched at the Tesla Collision Center on March 18.
According to jail records, Kim faces multiple charges, including arson, destruction of property, and possession of a fire device. Additionally, he will be prosecuted at the federal level, Spencer Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas office, announced during a Thursday press briefing.
“There’s nothing courageous or noble about firebombing private property and terrorizing your local community,” Evans stated. “The self-righteous mob cheering you on today will forget about you tomorrow. In the end, you alone will be held accountable and could face a lengthy prison sentence.”
Investigators say Kim arrived near the Tesla facility in a black Hyundai Elantra, disguised in black clothing, gloves, and a concealed face. Surveillance footage allegedly shows him damaging security cameras with a rifle before setting fire to the vehicles.
The word “RESIST” was spray-painted on the Tesla center’s entrance, and an unlit Molotov cocktail was discovered inside one of the cars, police reported.
Authorities also revealed that Kim’s social media activity suggested ties to communist groups and Palestinian causes. His DNA reportedly matched samples collected at the crime scene.
A search of Kim’s apartment and two vehicles linked to him uncovered multiple firearms, including rifles, a shotgun, a handgun, firearm parts, and a significant amount of ammunition.
Kim remains in custody as he awaits trial on state and federal charges.
