A Las Vegas man has pleaded guilty to using a gun and Molotov cocktails to destroy and damage cars at a Tesla Collision center in March 2025.
The DOJ says Paul Hyon Kim spray-painted the word “RESIST” on the front of the Tesla Collision center entrance on March 18, 2025, and then fired several shots into cars and three Molotov cocktails into three cars. Prosecutors say two of the cars exploded and erupted into flames, while a third did not detonate. In total, Kim damaged five Tesla vehicles.
Kim pleaded guilty to two counts of arson of property used in interstate commerce; one count of attempted arson of property used in interstate commerce; and one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device). The mandatory minimum statutory penalty is five years in prison. The total maximum statutory penalty is 70 years in prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 27, 2026.
April 15, 2025
The man accused of setting Tesla vehicles on fire at a Las Vegas collision center has pleaded not guilty to federal charges.
Suspect Paul Hyon Kim faces charges of arson, attempted arson and possession of an unregistered firearm.
Kim is accused of setting multiple Tesla cars on fire on March 15.
Two cars were fully engulfed in flames, and at least three rounds were fires into vehicles.
Kim's federal trial is set to start on June 17.
Original story (4/18/25, 3:30 p.m.):
The FBI and Las Vegas police are investigating after multiple Tesla cars were set on fire at a collision center in Las Vegas.
Today, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that they obtained surveillance video showing a suspect using molotov cocktails and guns to damage at least five cars at a Tesla Service Center.
UPDATE: LVMPD provides update on #Teslas targeted investigation https://t.co/4B1Afg2nyj
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) March 18, 2025
According to the report, two cars were completely engulfed.
This incident comes amid a rise in nationwide violence against Tesla facilities, thought to be caused by CEO Elon Musk's actions as part of the Trump Administration.
The FBI has deployed its Joint Terrorism Task Force - though what motivated the attack is still under investigation.
