FBI hunting masked arsonist after Tesla charging station erupts in flames at 1:30 AM
Another Tesla Charging Station Targeted in Growing Pattern of Attacks
If you've been seeing headlines about Tesla vehicles and charging stations being vandalized across the country, the disturbing trend has just continued with a major incident in Washington state.
The Tesla supercharger station in Lacey, Washington became the latest casualty in what authorities are now treating as a pattern of targeted attacks. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, around 1:30 AM, surveillance cameras captured a masked individual deliberately setting fire to the charging station, causing what officials describe as "substantial damage."
Local residents reported being awakened by a "loud noise" in the area, which prompted multiple calls to emergency services. By the time police arrived, the charging station was already engulfed in flames, with the characteristic red and white Tesla charging ports melted beyond recognition.
This isn't an isolated incident. The FBI has become so concerned about the pattern of attacks that they've established a specialized task force specifically to investigate Tesla-related vandalism nationwide. In Seattle alone, just 60 miles north of this latest incident, police have documented 22 separate Tesla vehicles being vandalized since the beginning of the year.
The timing of these attacks has raised eyebrows. The surge in vandalism coincides with Tesla CEO Elon Musk's controversial appointment as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, where his aggressive cost-cutting measures and staff reductions have generated significant backlash.
The FBI has released surveillance photos showing the suspect wearing a black hoodie and face covering, carrying what appears to be a white bag that investigators believe contained accelerants or incendiary devices. The images have an eerie quality, with the masked figure illuminated only by security lighting as they approach the charging station in the dead of night.
For Tesla owners in the area, the attack has created genuine fear. Many have reported changing where they park, some even choosing to leave their vehicles blocks away from their homes to avoid being targeted. One owner who regularly used the Lacey supercharger told local news: "I'm genuinely afraid now. This isn't just vandalism – it feels personal, like I'm being punished for my choice of vehicle."
The pattern extends beyond Washington state. Last month in Las Vegas, a similar incident occurred when a suspect shot at Tesla vehicles at a repair facility before igniting two cars with Molotov cocktails. The FBI is investigating whether these incidents are connected or if they represent a troubling trend of copycat attacks.
Tesla has responded to the Lacey incident by working with local authorities to review camera footage and is coordinating with Puget Sound Energy to restore the charging station as quickly as possible. However, for many Tesla owners, the damage has already been done – not just to the infrastructure, but to their sense of security.
As the FBI continues their investigation, they're urging anyone with information about the suspect or similar incidents to come forward, and for residents in the area to check doorbell cameras and security systems that might have captured additional footage of the suspect.
