Gunshots, Molotov cocktails, and graffiti: Police make arrests and investigate as anti-Tesla vandalism continues
Two recent vandalism incidents occurring at separate Tesla showrooms in Oregon involving gunshots are under investigation.
Tigard Police Department
- Police are investigating gunshot damage at an Oregon Tesla location that occurred overnight Thursday.
- The incident follows Molotov cocktails thrown and gunshot damage at another Tesla showroom in Oregon.
- A number of arrests have been made in the wake of recent anti-Elon Musk and anti-Tesla protests.
Tesla employees in Oregon arrived at work Thursday morning to discover gunshot damage at the dealership.
It's the latest incident under police investigation amid a wave of anti-Tesla vandalism.
Meanwhile, police continue to make arrests in other cases as they investigate vandalism incidents across the US amid ongoing "Tesla Takedown" protests against Elon Musk's DOGE work.
Surveillance footage indicates that the gunfire at the Tigard, Oregon Tesla showroom began around 1:46 a.m., according to the police report, and investigators believe "at least seven shots were fired" at the building, with one of the bullets going through a wall and into a computer monitor at the office. Tigard Police Department
"While the motivation for this has not been confirmed, we are aware that other Tesla dealerships have been targeted across Oregon and the nation for political reasons," Tigard police said.
Police said three cars were damaged and the store's windows were shattered. Tigard Police Department Tigard Police Department
Investigators said they are still searching for additional evidence and haven't announced a suspect. Officials are working with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate the incident.
Other vandalism incidents involving Tesla showrooms occurred in Oregon this week. A 41-year-old man from Oregon was arraigned in federal court Wednesday after being accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a Tesla location in Salem. The suspect, Adam Matthew Lansky, was "charged by criminal complaint with illegally possessing an unregistered destructive device," the US Attorney's Office in Oregon said.
Police officers initially responded to a report of Molotov cocktails being thrown at a dealership on January 20. Officers returned to the same dealership after bullets appeared to be fired into the building and a vehicle.
Officials said the surveillance footage appears to show Lansky throwing the Molotov cocktails that caused fires after hitting the building and several vehicles. Additional footage shows a vehicle later found to be registered under Lansky, parked near the dealership during the time shots were fired at the building and vehicle, they added. The suspect was arrested Tuesday and made an appearance at a federal court Wednesday.
A number of vandalism incidents have taken place around the country, with some Tesla owners reporting damage to their vehicles and slurs written on their cars. Earlier this week, a group of Tesla Superchargers in a small Massachusetts town caught on fire. Police investigators suspect it was arson.
Last week, a woman in Colorado was arrested on charges that she threw Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership and wrote graffiti on vehicles and the building.
The incidents are happening against a backdrop of dozens of public demonstrations and protests at Tesla showrooms and other locations across the country. The Tesla Takedown protests, a grassroots movement organized online, call for Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and stock in an effort to "stop Musk now."
Some of the protests have also resulted in arrests.
Nine people were arrested after hundreds gathered at Tesla showroom protest on Saturday, Reuters reported. Some of the demonstrators entered the building, leading employees to shut down the store.
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