Portland, Oregon – Police in Oregon announced on Thursday that they are collaborating with the FBI to investigate a shooting incident at a Tesla dealership in Tigard, just outside of Portland. The incident involved gunshots fired at the dealership overnight, marking the latest act of vandalism targeting the company’s retail stores. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the shooting, which took place around 1:46 a.m. when the building was unoccupied.
Surveillance footage revealed that at least seven shots were fired, resulting in damage to three vehicles and shattered windows at the dealership. Additionally, one bullet penetrated an office wall and struck a computer monitor. Tigard police disclosed that they are partnering with federal agencies such as the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the shooting. As of now, no description of a suspect has been provided.
In a statement, Tigard police acknowledged the possibility of political motives behind the vandalism, citing previous instances of Tesla dealerships being targeted across Oregon and the country. This incident follows recent charges filed against a woman in Denver in connection with vandalism at a Tesla dealership, where Molotov cocktails were thrown at vehicles and anti-Semitic graffiti was spray-painted on the building. Moreover, just earlier this month, a man was arrested in Salem, Oregon, for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at another Tesla dealership.
The growing trend of vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships has raised concerns among law enforcement officials, prompting a closer collaboration between local and federal agencies to address the issue. Investigators are working diligently to determine the motives behind these incidents and identify those responsible for the vandalism. Despite no injuries being reported in the shooting at the Tigard dealership, the incident underscores the need for heightened security measures to protect businesses from acts of vandalism and violence.