Authorities in North Charleston, South Carolina, are searching for a masked suspect who attempted to set fire to a Tesla charging station using Molotov cocktails, only to accidentally set himself ablaze in the process.
The incident, which took place near a Mellow Mushroom restaurant at 4855 Tanger Outlet Blvd., has left an estimated $60,000 in damages.
According to witness reports and law enforcement officials, the suspect—described as wearing a gray jacket or hoodie—spray-painted the message “F**K TRUMP LONG LIVE UKRAINE” near the row of Tesla charging stations before launching his attack.
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Using beer bottles as makeshift Molotov cocktails, the individual ignited the bottles and threw them at three of the charging units.
However, during the act of arson, the suspect’s clothing caught fire, with witnesses describing flames spreading across his back.
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A masked man vandalized a Tesla location in South Carolina with spray paint writing “F*** Trump” and “long live Ukraine.” He then set charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails and accidentally set himself on fire too.
The suspect is still at large.… pic.twitter.com/bL5PG2yXoY
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 11, 2025
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As bystanders began calling 911, the man fled the scene, running past a nearby Zaxby’s restaurant and toward the hotels located behind the charging station.
The North Charleston Police Department is actively investigating the incident but has yet to identify or apprehend the suspect.
Due to the nature of the crime, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has taken over the investigation.
Harve Jacobs, spokesperson for the North Charleston Police Department, confirmed that law enforcement is working to determine the full extent of the damage and track down the individual responsible.
This incident adds to a growing pattern of attacks on Tesla infrastructure, as well as acts of vandalism connected to political messaging.
Breitbart News previously reported on another individual, who police say identified as a woman, attempting to use explosives at a Tesla dealership.
The North Charleston attack involved direct vandalism of Tesla’s charging infrastructure, with the suspect also leaving behind politically charged graffiti aimed at President Donald Trump.
The attack has raised concerns in the community, as authorities continue working to identify the arsonist.
Officials have not yet determined a motive beyond the explicit political messaging left at the scene.
Law enforcement urges anyone with information on the suspect or the crime to contact the North Charleston Police Department or the ATF as they continue their investigation.
MSNBC justifies violence against Tesla as “a form of protest, NOT domestic terror” pic.twitter.com/WPtQvQejlh
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 12, 2025
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