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In a startling incident in South Carolina, a mechanic’s attempt to firebomb a Tesla charging station resulted in him accidentally setting himself ablaze. The suspect, 24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder from James Island, was arrested following the attack at a North Charleston parking lot.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Clarke-Pounder hurled five Molotov cocktails at the charging facility, damaging three EV chargers. During the attack, he reportedly left anti-Trump and pro-Ukraine messages in red paint near the damaged units. The situation escalated when he allegedly banged on the windows of a parked Tesla, suggesting possible intentions for further destruction.
The attack took an unexpected turn when one of Clarke-Pounder’s incendiary devices backfired, igniting his clothing. Eyewitnesses observed him fleeing the scene with flames engulfing his back, though the severity of his injuries remains unknown.
New evidence shows Daniel Clarke-Pounder, the man arrested for setting fire to a Tesla fire station, wrote notes detailing his opposition to Trump & Elon's DOGE initiative and referenced Luigi Mangione, the alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO murderer.
The judge has set his bond at… pic.twitter.com/IB9d7hwuWI
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 18, 2025
“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. 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,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews.
The suspect, who was apprehended after a public manhunt, could face up to 20 years imprisonment. His record shows a previous arrest in May 2023 involving DUI, open container violations, and driving without insurance.
🚨 DOMESTIC RET*RD: Daniel Clarke-Pounder "allegedly" attacked a Tesla charging station in South Carolina with Molotov cocktails.
He damaged 3 chargers and wrote graffiti saying 'f–k Trump' and 'long live the Ukraine.'
He accidentally set himself on fire and fled the scene.… pic.twitter.com/Fj9cCbf2E5
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) March 18, 2025
This incident adds to a series of recent attacks targeting Tesla properties. The company and its CEO, Elon Musk, have faced increasing opposition since Musk’s appointment as head of the Department of Government Efficiency in the Trump administration. Similar incidents include a Molotov cocktail attack at a Colorado Tesla dealership and anti-Semitic vandalism of a Cybertruck in New York.
The controversy intensified after President Trump publicly backed Musk, calling him an “incredible patriot” and pledging to purchase a Tesla in a White House demonstration of support.
