Owen McIntire, a student at the University of Massachusetts Boston, is facing two federal charges after being accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail into a Tesla dealership in Kansas City, Missouri. McIntire is a Kansas City resident and was reportedly home for Spring Break at the time of the alleged incident. The University confirms that FBI officials arrested the student Friday on campus, and reported to court that same day in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.
Owen McIntire Allegedly Firebombed Tesla Dealership
Video surveillance tapes helped police narrow in on Owen McIntire, the alleged suspect in the Tesla firebombing incident in Kansas City. McIntire, 19, was allegedly observed leaving his vehicle in front of a house and gathering materials, heading towards the direction of the Tesla dealership, then returning about six minutes later. Erica Periolat owns a house near the Tesla dealership, where her security camera recorded the referenced footage. “I did not sleep well the night after,” Periolat said. “I think I watched my camera footage all night long the night after. It was unsettling.”
In addition to the video surveillance footage, police also used cell phone data and license plate readers in order to identify and track down Owen McIntire, who is a resident of Parville but was back on campus at UMass Boston when he was arrested. The school has not released any official comments to reporters on the allegations or the incident, though they did confirm that McIntye was arrested by the FBI on Friday, April 18, while on campus. They are offering services and resources to any students who request them.
University of Mass Boston officials sent an official statement to students: “Per its standard protocol, Campus Police reviewed and confirmed the agents were acting on an authorized warrant signed by a United States Magistrate Judge and accompanied them as they executed the warrant. The student was arrested without incident and is now in federal custody. The university will have no comment on the ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Owen McIntire Facing Several Major Charges
According to CBS News, the property damaged in the fire was around $200,000 in value. “Two Cybertrucks and two charging stations were damaged by the fire. The FBI said that the trucks are valued at $105,485 and $107,485, and the charging stations at $550 each.”
FBI Boston’s Acting Special Agent in Charge, James Crowley, responded to the arrest. “Peacefully protesting is protected activity. Arson and destruction of property are violent crimes. There are productive ways to express your desire for change, but violence will never be one of them. FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to bring those responsible for violent acts to justice.”
Owen McIntire is facing multiple serious charges in connection with the case. He is charged with unlawful possession of any unregistered destructive device and one count of malicious damage by fire of any property used in interstate commerce. The FBI in Boston and Kansas City are working closely with the Kansas City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Owen McIntire is the second case this week where an individual was arrested in connection with a targeted Tesla attack. In a statement released on Friday, Attorney General Pamela Bondi had a message for anyone who wants to damage Tesla: “Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: you will not evade us. You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”
Owen McIntire was in court Friday for the initial charges and could be facing decades in prison if convicted. As more information, potential pleas, and sentencing become available, the story will be updated.
