Lacey, Washington, April 13, 2025 – The FBI is intensifying its search for a suspect who set fire to a Tesla Supercharger station in Lacey, Washington, in a suspected act of domestic terrorism. The incident, which occurred at 1:30 a.m. on April 8 at the 12-stall charging station on 665 Sleater Kinney Road SE in the South Sound Center, caused significant damage and left the facility offline.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect, described as a White male between 5’10” and 6’2”, wearing a dark hooded jacket, gray pants, and a face covering. He was carrying a white bag and displayed a distinctive gait, with a slight limp in his right leg and a tendency to hold his right hand behind his back. The FBI believes he may have injuries such as burns, a concussion, or shrapnel wounds from being near an explosion or intense heat. Lacey Police reported multiple 911 calls about a loud noise, and officers found shrapnel scattered across the parking lot, some landing near the nearby Target store.
While the FBI has not confirmed the use of a bomb, sources like Electrek and Teslarati suggest a small explosive device may have been involved, based on footage showing two explosions. The attack is part of a wave of incidents targeting Tesla infrastructure across at least nine states since January 2025, including vandalism and gunfire. The FBI’s task force, launched in March, is investigating these attacks, which some link to backlash against Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s role as a policy advisor for the Department of Government Efficiency under President Trump.
The FBI is urging residents near the South Sound Center, as well as the Chehalis Western and Woodland Creek trails, to review security and doorbell camera footage from the evening of April 7 to the morning of April 8 for any sightings of the suspect. Tips can be submitted at 1-800-CALL-FBI, online at tips.fbi.gov, or via a dedicated digital media tipline at fbi.gov/lacey-tesla-arson. Public response on X has been mixed, with some users questioning the FBI’s focus, while others have noted the suspect’s limp as a potential identifying trait.
Tesla is collaborating with Puget Sound Energy to restore the station, which remains out of service, impacting local electric vehicle owners. The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of EV infrastructure amid rising tensions over Musk’s political influence. As the investigation continues, the FBI hopes community assistance will lead to the suspect’s swift identification and apprehension.
