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FBI launches task force targeting anti-Tesla 鈥榙omestic terrorism鈥�

FBI launches task force targeting anti-Tesla 鈥榙omestic terrorism鈥�
Here's the moment flames emerge from *** Tesla. *** person in dark clothing appears next to the car around 2:45 this morning, seeming to reach in *** bag and walk by the car before this sound. *** loud bang Metro police suspect is *** gunshot, one of at least 3 rounds fired at different cars during the attack at Tesla collision Tuesday. We do believe that it is isolated at this time. We do not believe that there's any further threat to the general public. Metro police working with. The FBI on this investigation. New evidence shows the word resist spray painted on the building. Detectives also suspect the attacker used Molotov cocktails. We have recovered at least one unignited Molotov cocktail located in one of the Tesla vehicles. We're working collectively with our partners to test that material and process that as evidence. Drone video showing the aftermath in the parking lot, the flames engulfing two cars, damaging *** total of 5 due to exposure from the fire, according to the Clark County Fire Department, who responded. We were able to extinguish both of these, um, fires before it got to the, uh, battery compartment. Which is critical in extinguishing any vehicle fires. The FBI not calling it an act of terrorism, but the Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating this situation. It certainly has some of the hallmarks that we might think, you know, the writing on the wall, the potential, you know, political agenda. There's an act of violence, so none of those factors are lost on us.
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FBI launches task force targeting anti-Tesla 鈥榙omestic terrorism鈥�
The FBI announced on Monday the creation of a task force intended to 鈥渃rack down on violent Tesla attacks,鈥� a move that follows a spate of such incidents appearing to target Elon Musk鈥檚 electric car manufacturer.Video above: Group of Teslas set on fire at Las Vegas Tesla dealershipActs of violence and vandalism have been seen for months against Tesla vehicles and facilities, such as charging stations, alongside protests at Tesla showrooms criticizing Musk, the company鈥檚 CEO, who is leading the Trump administration鈥檚 controversial efforts to downsize the federal government鈥檚 workforce and shrink federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).The new task force will work in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate anti-Tesla attacks, FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson said in a post on X.The Justice Department recently announced it will crack down on the rising number of attacks against Tesla, including bringing charges against several individuals accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at the automaker鈥檚 properties.鈥淭his is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice,鈥� FBI Director Kash Patel said Monday.Attorney General Pam Bondi also described the anti-Tesla acts as 鈥渄omestic terrorism鈥� last week, after a person dressed in black shot and set fire to several Tesla vehicles at a repair facility in Las Vegas.Musk echoed that on his X social media platform on Monday, writing, 鈥淭here is no doubt that shooting bullets into Tesla stores and burning down Superchargers are acts of terrorism.鈥滻n an X post last week responding to the violent acts aimed at Tesla facilities, Musk wrote, 鈥淭esla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks.鈥漈he FBI declined to say how many people will be assigned to the task force. The New York Post first reported about the new law enforcement initiative.Bomb squad removes incendiary devices from Tesla dealer in Austin, TexasAmid the federal government鈥檚 actions to contain these attacks, police in Austin, Texas, got a call Monday morning about possible hazardous materials found at a Tesla dealership.Responding officers reported 鈥渟uspicious devices鈥� and called in the bomb squad, which determined the devices to be 鈥渋ncendiary鈥� and took them away without incident, Austin police said.Police declined to release further details about the type of incendiary devices they found, saying, 鈥淭his is an open and ongoing investigation.鈥滳NN has reached out to Tesla for comment.Trump administration ramps up responseIn addition to the new task force, the FBI released a public service announcement over the weekend urging the public to look out for signs of an attack on Tesla dealerships or Tesla-related entities. Those signs could include someone surveilling or trying to break into Tesla properties or making threats against the company online.Anti-Tesla incidents have happened in at least nine states, the FBI said, noting the pattern appears to be them occurring overnight, and 鈥渃onducted by lone offenders.鈥濃淭hese incidents have involved arson, gunfire, and vandalism, including graffiti expressing grievances against those the perpetrators perceive to be racists, fascists, or political opponents,鈥� the FBI said, asking anyone with information about these crimes to contact law enforcement.Here are some of the notable recent incidents involving Tesla vehicles and facilities:Las Vegas, March 18: Surveillance video at a car repair shop showed a person dressed in black shooting at Tesla cars and igniting two of them with Molotov cocktails, according to police. The word 鈥楻esist鈥� was spray-painted on the front doors of the shop. No injuries were reported, and the fires were put out before they could reach the Teslas鈥� batteries. The FBI鈥檚 Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the attack.South Carolina, March 7: A 24-year-old man allegedly threw five Molotov cocktails at a Tesla charging station in North Charleston, according to the Justice Department. Witnesses reported seeing a man spray-paint an expletive against Trump and 鈥淟ong Live Ukraine鈥� in red paint in the parking lot, the DOJ said.Portland, Oregon, March 6: At least seven gunshots were fired into a Tesla showroom in the middle of the night, according to police. Windows were shattered, and three cars were damaged. One bullet went through an office wall and into a computer monitor.Boston, March 3: Seven Tesla charging stations in a mall outside the Massachusetts capital were set on fire.Colorado, late January and February: A woman allegedly attacked a Tesla dealer in Loveland on multiple occasions, including throwing Molotov cocktails and spray-painting words on vehicles and windows, including the word 鈥淣azi,鈥� according to authorities.In what seems a compounding to the tensions around the Tesla brand, at the same time some of those protesting Tesla appear to have been targeted as well.Last weekend in Florida, protesters outside a Tesla dealership in Palm Beach County had to move out of the way of an SUV that jumped the curb and drove toward them, according to authorities.One woman at the protest who took cell phone video of the aftermath described seeing the black SUV slowing down and creeping up by the protesters before suddenly accelerating. The SUV almost struck multiple people, but no one was injured, authorities said.A Tesla employee told police the man driving the car got out and went inside the dealership and said he stands with Tesla, according to the arrest report.

The FBI announced on Monday the creation of a task force intended to 鈥渃rack down on violent Tesla attacks,鈥� a move that follows a spate of such incidents appearing to target Elon Musk鈥檚 electric car manufacturer.

Video above: Group of Teslas set on fire at Las Vegas Tesla dealership

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Acts of violence and vandalism have been seen for months against Tesla vehicles and facilities, such as charging stations, alongside protests at Tesla showrooms criticizing Musk, the company鈥檚 CEO, who is leading the Trump administration鈥檚 controversial efforts to downsize the federal government鈥檚 workforce and shrink federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The new task force will work in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate anti-Tesla attacks, FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson said in a .

The Justice Department recently announced it will crack down on the rising number of attacks against Tesla, including bringing charges against several individuals accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at the automaker鈥檚 properties.

鈥淭his is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice,鈥� said Monday.

Attorney General Pam Bondi also described the anti-Tesla acts as 鈥渄omestic terrorism鈥� last week, after a person dressed in black shot and set fire to several Tesla vehicles at a repair facility in Las Vegas.

Musk on his X social media platform on Monday, writing, 鈥淭here is no doubt that shooting bullets into Tesla stores and burning down Superchargers are acts of terrorism.鈥�

In an responding to the violent acts aimed at Tesla facilities, Musk wrote, 鈥淭esla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks.鈥�

The FBI declined to say how many people will be assigned to the task force. first reported about the new law enforcement initiative.

Bomb squad removes incendiary devices from Tesla dealer in Austin, Texas

Amid the federal government鈥檚 actions to contain these attacks, police in Austin, Texas, got a call Monday morning about possible hazardous materials found at a Tesla dealership.

Responding officers reported 鈥渟uspicious devices鈥� and called in the bomb squad, which determined the devices to be 鈥渋ncendiary鈥� and took them away without incident, Austin police said.

Police declined to release further details about the type of incendiary devices they found, saying, 鈥淭his is an open and ongoing investigation.鈥�

CNN has reached out to Tesla for comment.

Trump administration ramps up response

In addition to the new task force, the FBI released a public service announcement over the weekend urging the public to look out for signs of an attack on Tesla dealerships or Tesla-related entities. Those signs could include someone surveilling or trying to break into Tesla properties or making threats against the company online.

Anti-Tesla incidents have happened in at least nine states, the FBI said, noting the pattern appears to be them occurring overnight, and 鈥渃onducted by lone offenders.鈥�

鈥淭hese incidents have involved arson, gunfire, and vandalism, including graffiti expressing grievances against those the perpetrators perceive to be racists, fascists, or political opponents,鈥� the FBI said, asking anyone with information about these crimes to contact law enforcement.

Here are some of the notable recent incidents involving Tesla vehicles and facilities:

  • Las Vegas, March 18: Surveillance video at a car repair shop showed a person dressed in black shooting at Tesla cars and igniting two of them with Molotov cocktails, according to police. The word 鈥楻esist鈥� was spray-painted on the front doors of the shop. No injuries were reported, and the fires were put out before they could reach the Teslas鈥� batteries. The FBI鈥檚 Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the attack.
  • South Carolina, March 7: A 24-year-old man allegedly threw five Molotov cocktails at a Tesla charging station in North Charleston, . Witnesses reported seeing a man spray-paint an expletive against Trump and 鈥淟ong Live Ukraine鈥� in red paint in the parking lot, the DOJ said.
  • Portland, Oregon, March 6: At least seven gunshots were fired into a Tesla showroom in the middle of the night, according to Windows were shattered, and three cars were damaged. One bullet went through an office wall and into a computer monitor.
  • Boston, March 3: Seven Tesla charging stations in a mall outside the Massachusetts capital .
  • Colorado, late January and February: A woman allegedly attacked a Tesla dealer in Loveland on multiple occasions, including throwing Molotov cocktails and spray-painting words on vehicles and windows, including the word 鈥淣azi,鈥� according to authorities.

In what seems a compounding to the tensions around the Tesla brand, at the same time some of those protesting Tesla appear to have been targeted as well.

Last weekend in Florida, protesters outside a Tesla dealership in Palm Beach County had to move out of the way of an SUV that jumped the curb and drove toward them, according to authorities.

One woman at the protest who took cell phone video of the aftermath described seeing the black SUV slowing down and creeping up by the protesters before suddenly accelerating. The SUV almost struck multiple people, but no one was injured, authorities said.

A Tesla employee told police the man driving the car got out and went inside the dealership and said he stands with Tesla, according to the arrest report.