Las Vegas police arrested a man accused of firebombing Teslas in a politically charged attack linked to far-left groups.
Police have arrested a suspect with alleged ties to far-left groups in connection with last week’s firebombing of a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas, an attack that destroyed three vehicles, damaged two others, and left the word “RESIST” scrawled across the building.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren announced at a March 27 press briefing that 36-year-old Paul Hyon Kim was arrested the previous evening and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on 15 charges, including multiple felonies related to arson, property destruction, unlawful possession of incendiary devices, and firearms offenses.
Koren said surveillance footage captured Kim arriving at the facility in a black Hyundai Elantra. Dressed in black clothing, wearing gloves and a face covering, the suspect allegedly shot out security cameras, fired into parked Tesla vehicles, and used Molotov cocktails to ignite three of them. One unlit firebomb was found inside another car. Investigators say he spray-painted the word “RESIST” on the Tesla center’s front doors before fleeing.
Search warrants executed on two vehicles linked to Kim and his apartment turned up multiple firearms—including rifles, a shotgun, and a handgun—as well as ammunition of various calibers, gun parts, and clothing consistent with that worn by the suspect in the video. Electronic devices were seized and are currently being analyzed by the FBI, Koren said, adding that DNA evidence collected at the scene matched Kim.
Koren said the LVMPD worked in coordination with federal partners, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). FBI Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans confirmed that a federal arrest warrant had been issued and that Kim would soon face federal charges in addition to state ones. Spencer issued a cautionary message for individuals who may be contemplating similar attacks.
“There’s nothing courageous or noble about firebombing private property and terrorizing your local community,” he said. “The self-righteous mob that’s cheering you on today to commit acts of violence on their behalf will leave you high and dry and forget about you tomorrow. And at the end of the day, you, and you alone, will be held responsible and face the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence.”
By Tom Ozimek
