According to authorities, a man who attempted to light a Tesla charging station in opposition of US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk ended up setting himself on fire.
On Friday, Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, used Molotov cocktails to destroy three electric vehicle ( EV ) chargers in a parking lot in South Carolina. According to federal prosecutors, he left graffiti that reads “F-k Trump” and” Long live the Ukraine.”
According to testimony, Clarke-Pounder, a engineer from James Island, was seen throwing five firebombs at a man who had allegedly fanned his own apparel. According to witness accounts and surveillance footage, he reportedly fled the scene while carrying lights on his back.
The first police report stated that the suspect had unintentionally caught their own up on fire while attempting to throw the weapons.
Authorities later detained Clarke-Pounder after a common charm for details. How serious of a wound did he sustain remains to be seen.
While acting US attorney Brook B. Andrews defended the government’s right to peaceful opposition,” we will not hesitate to act when opposition crosses the line into assault and mayhem.” In our society, these kinds of episodes are unremarkable. Regardless of political differences, we may be united in our commitment to health and value for all.
On Friday evening, Clarke-Pounder was arraigned in federal court and faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. According to police information, he was previously detained in May 2023 for DUI, ownership of an empty drinking vessel, and driving without insurance.
The incident is the most recent in a line of incidents aimed at Tesla in response to criticism of Musk’s leadership of the department of government efficiency ( DOGE ) in Trump’s administration.
A Tesla factory in Colorado was destroyed last week when criminals spray” German cars” on the tower.
