Austin Police discovered incendiary devices at a local Tesla dealership on Monday morning, marking the latest in a series of violent attacks targeting Tesla properties, charging stations, and vehicles. Some incidents have involved arson, raising concerns over coordinated efforts against the Elon Musk-owned company.
The Austin Police Department’s Public Information Office reported that officers responded to a “Found/Abandoned Hazardous call” at the Tesla dealership located at 12845 N. US 183 HWY SVRD NB around 8:04 a.m. local time.
Upon arrival, authorities located suspicious devices and called in the department’s Bomb Squad to investigate. The devices were confirmed to be incendiary and taken into police custody without incident. “This is an open and ongoing investigation, and there is no further information available for release at this time,” the department stated.
The discovery follows a surge in attacks against Tesla properties, which have been linked to Musk’s work with the Trump administration on cutting government waste. Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed severe consequences for those involved, calling the attacks “domestic terrorism.”
“The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism,” Bondi wrote. “The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences. We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes.”
At least three individuals are now facing federal charges in connection to Tesla-related attacks and could receive up to 20 years in prison if convicted. President Donald Trump has suggested sending those found guilty to serve time in El Salvador’s prisons. “I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20-year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!” Trump stated.
