An individual involved in a Molotov cocktail arson incident at a Tesla dealership in Las Vegas was apprehended on Wednesday and is now confronting serious criminal charges at both the local and federal levels. This arrest highlights the swift action taken in this case, providing a clear message to others considering similar acts.
The suspect, 36-year-old Paul Hyon Kim, was taken into custody by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department following an incident where reportedly five vehicles were set on fire at a Tesla Collision Center on March 18.
Kim has been charged with multiple crimes ranging from destruction of property, arson, and possessing a fire device, according to jail records.
In addition to the local charges, Spencer Evans, the FBI’s agent-in-charge in Las Vegas, announced that Kim will also be facing federal charges during a press briefing on Thursday.
“There’s nothing courageous or noble about firebombing private property and terrorizing your local community,” Evans 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.”
“Terrorizing” isn’t at all too strong a word here. A person who is capable of firebombing a car dealership is on a short path to attacking people directly; that’s how terrorists work. One of the proper responses to this kind of domestic terrorism is to make the risk too high and the eventual penalties too severe to make it worth the attempt.
And Paul Hyon Kim is clearly a guy who was prepared to escalate.
Authorities said Kim’s social media activity showed potential links to communist groups and Palestinian causes. His DNA matched DNA samples collected at the scene of the attack, authorities said.
Investigators searched two vehicles linked to Kim and his apartment, and found multiple firearms, including rifles, a shotgun a handgun, gun parts, as well as ammunition.
The people of Las Vegas are safer now with this goblin off the streets.
