LAS VEGAS, NV – A brazen attack on a Las Vegas Tesla collision center left five vehicles charred and a trail of evidence leading directly to 36-year-old Paul Hyon Kim, now facing federal arson and weapons charges. On March 18th, Las Vegas Metro Police responded to frantic 911 calls reporting a man torching vehicles and firing a gun at the facility. The scene quickly escalated, requiring the Clark County Fire Department to battle the blaze while investigators began piecing together what appeared to be a deliberately violent act.
The investigation revealed the attacker didn’t just use fire; Molotov cocktails were hurled at the Tesla vehicles, and a .30 caliber AR-style firearm was discharged. Graffiti reading “Resist” was spray-painted across the building’s facade, hinting at a motive beyond simple vandalism. This wasn’t a random act, officials say, but a targeted attack.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi didn’t mince words, declaring, “The Department of Justice has been clear: anyone who participates in the wave of domestic terrorism targeting Tesla properties will suffer severe legal consequences.” FBI Director Kash Patel echoed that sentiment, stating acts of violence and vandalism “will not be tolerated,” and promising swift action. The case is being spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, with collaboration from a multi-agency task force including the Southern Nevada Counterterrorism Center, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Las Vegas Metro Police Department’s ARMOR unit.
Paul Hyon Kim was arrested on March 26th and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court. He’s been charged with one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm and one count of arson. A subsequent search of Kim’s residence uncovered a disturbing arsenal. Investigators seized an AR-style rifle, consistent with the weapon used in the March 18th attack, equipped with a suppressor. They also found a black gun belt, a pouch, a trace amount of pink paint residue matching the graffiti, a black hoodie, and face masks.
Perhaps most chilling was a handwritten note discovered during the search, appearing to detail an escape plan. Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami vowed to prosecute the case “to the fullest extent of the law,” emphasizing the commitment to combating domestic violent extremism. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are exploring potential connections to other incidents targeting Tesla properties. Kim remains in federal custody pending further court proceedings.
The criminal complaint, filed on March 27, 2025, bears case number 2:25-mj-00261-EJY in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. The Justice Department’s National Security Division is also involved, signaling the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating this case and the potential for wider implications regarding domestic terrorism threats. The collaborative effort underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards violence and a commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
