Key points

• Paul Hyon Kim sentenced to 60 months in federal prison
• Attack hit Tesla center near Jones and Badura on March 18, 2025
• Five vehicles destroyed; 3 years of supervised release follow

A Las Vegas man who attacked a Tesla repair facility last year was sentenced Wednesday, Oct. 14, to five years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada said.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey ordered Paul Hyon Kim to serve 60 months, followed by three years of supervised release. Kim pleaded guilty in February to two counts of arson of property used in interstate commerce, one count of attempted arson and one count of possessing an unregistered firearm, a destructive device.

Predawn attack

According to court records, Kim went to the Tesla Collision Center near Jones Boulevard and Badura Avenue early on March 18, 2025, carrying an AR-style semiautomatic rifle. He threw three Molotov cocktails; two ignited and set vehicles ablaze, while the third failed to light.

Five vehicles were damaged beyond repair. Kim, then 36, was arrested days after the attack.

Federal investigation

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the attack came amid widespread public anger toward Elon Musk, who was then leading the Department of Government Efficiency. Federal prosecutors said violence has no place as a way to settle political differences.

The FBI, ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated, with help from the Clark County Fire Department. Sentencing had earlier been postponed by 90 days from its original May date.

Sources U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Nevada · FOX5 · Las Vegas Review-Journal · 8 News Now · KTNV · News 3 · FOX5 2
Photo Orizan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

KoreanVegas wrote this article with AI assistance, based on the reports above.