A man attempting to torch a Tesla charging station in protest against US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk ended up setting himself on fire, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder, used Molotov cocktails to destroy three electric vehicle (EV) chargers in a South Carolina parking lot on Friday. Federal prosecutors said he left behind graffiti reading “F–k Trump” and “Long live the Ukraine.”
Clarke-Pounder, a mechanic from James Island, was seen throwing five firebombs when one ignited his own clothing, according to witnesses. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts confirmed that he fled the scene with flames on his back.
“The suspect had accidentally caught their own back on fire while throwing the devices,” the initial police report noted.
Following a public appeal for information, authorities arrested Clarke-Pounder later that day. It remains unclear how seriously he was injured.
“While we will defend the public’s right to peaceful protest, we will not hesitate to act when protest crosses the line into violence and mayhem,” acting US attorney Brook B Andrews said. “These kinds of attacks have no place in our community. We must remain united in our commitment to safety and respect for all, regardless of political differences.”
Clarke-Pounder was arraigned in federal court Friday afternoon and faces up to 20 years in prison. Police records indicate he had a prior arrest in May 2023 for DUI, possession of an open alcohol container, and driving without insurance.
The attack is the latest in a string of incidents targeting Tesla amid backlash over Musk’s role in Trump’s administration as head of the department of government efficiency (DOGE).
Last week, a Tesla dealership in Colorado was firebombed, with vandals spray-painting “Nazi cars” on the building.
