NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — In a disturbing incident on Friday, a man set fire to three Tesla charging stations located in a parking lot near an outlet mall in North Charleston, South Carolina. According to the North Charleston Police Department, the individual not only damaged the chargers but also accidentally ignited his own clothing during the act.
Witnesses reported that the man had spray-painted phrases including “long live Ukraine” and a crude remark aimed at former President Donald Trump on the pavement near the charging stations. This vandalism appears to have been part of his motives as he engaged in the reckless act of throwing incendiary devices at the electric vehicle chargers.
The assailant used beer bottles filled with an unidentified flammable material and hurled them at the Tesla charging stations, resulting in significant fire damage. In the course of this act, he inadvertently set his clothes ablaze and subsequently fled the scene, according to police reports. By the time law enforcement arrived, witnesses provided accounts of the chaotic situation that unfolded in the parking lot.
No arrests have been made as of yet, as the North Charleston Police spokesperson Harve Jacobs confirmed on Tuesday. The investigation into the incident has been escalated and transferred to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for further examination. The involvement of the ATF suggests that authorities are treating the event with serious consideration due to the nature of the crime.
Following the incident, investigators collected the remains of the beer bottles used in the attack. Meanwhile, firefighters responded quickly to cut power to the charging stations and extinguished the flames, preventing further damage to the surrounding area and any potential risk to nearby structures or vehicles.
This case highlights the growing concern regarding vandalism and public safety, particularly concerning infrastructure that supports electric vehicles. Incidents like this draw attention to the need for enhanced security measures around charging stations, which are vital components of modern transportation networks. The intersection of public property with acts of political expression raises questions about the boundaries of protest and civil disobedience.
Officials have urged anyone with information regarding the incident or the identity of the suspect to come forward. Community vigilance is essential in discouraging such acts of vandalism that not only endanger public safety but also undermine efforts to support sustainable transportation options.
