By THE ALASKA STORY
March 1, 2026 – A Las Vegas man has pleaded guilty to a fiery attack on a Tesla facility last year that left multiple vehicles damaged and drew national attention amid heightened political tensions surrounding President Donald Trump’s return to office and Tesla founder Elon Musk’s role in the administration.
Paul Hyon Kim, 36, entered a guilty plea on Feb. 24 in federal court for using a firearm and Molotov cocktails to damage and destroy vehicles and property at a Tesla Collision Center in March 2025.
According to federal prosecutors, the attack occurred in the early morning hours of March 18, 2025. Authorities say Kim spray-painted the word “RESIST” across the entrance of the facility before opening fire on surveillance cameras and vehicles parked on the lot.
Investigators said Kim used a PA-15 multi-caliber firearm equipped with a .300 Blackout upper receiver and a 7.62mm silencer. After shooting out cameras and firing multiple rounds into vehicles, he allegedly threw three Molotov cocktails at Tesla vehicles. Two of the incendiary devices exploded and ignited fires, while a third failed to detonate.
In total, five Tesla vehicles were damaged.
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, specifically a destructive device.
The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum statutory penalty of up to 70 years. Sentencing is scheduled for May 27 before U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey, who will determine the final sentence after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance from the Clark County Fire Department.
The March 2025 attack took place during a wave of protests, violence, and vandalism, some targeting Tesla properties nationwide, including in Lacey, Washington. Demonstrations and vandalism to Tesla vehicles became widespread after Musk’s appointment to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, under the Trump administration. Tesla facilities in several cities reported incidents of graffiti, property damage, and organized protests during that period.
While prosecutors have not formally characterized the attack as domestic terrorism, court filings highlighted the “RESIST” graffiti and the calculated nature of the arson as evidence of deliberate targeting. Public reporting indicated that Kim worked as a cinematographer and videographer and had expressed views aligned with anti-capitalist and pro-Palestinian activism.
One thought on “Man who firebombed Teslas one year ago pleads guilty”
I think people who call themselves anti capitalists are people who have not learned how to create business and work it so it sells a service and product. Their tiny worldview hasn’t even dreamt or thought of How does one start a business and manage it so it does generate a profit. Because did you know America has the world’s Most millionaires!!!? You know what that means? Means Anyone!!!! Can become a millionaire if they have the idea, the plan, the will and work ethic for reaching goals for success.
Actually him being a cinematographer means he likely knows very well how to start a business. So he isn’t an anti capitalist as he says of himself. He is a Democrat revolutionist for Democrat party governance, and violence against a person and property is terrorism.