Authorities are investigating a second attack in just over four weeks on a Tesla store in Salem, Oregon. Early Wednesday morning, gunfire shattered multiple windows at the dealership located at 2755 Mission St. SE, prompting a response from local law enforcement and federal investigators.
Second Criminal Incident in a Month
Salem police confirmed that officers arrived at the scene just before 5 a.m. after receiving reports of damage to the dealership. A preliminary investigation revealed that the damage resulted from gunfire. This follows an arson attack on January 20, during which a vehicle was set ablaze and another window was broken.
“The incident remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made,” Salem Police Department spokesperson Angela Hedrick stated. She also confirmed that federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), are assisting with the case.
While investigators have not yet determined whether the attacks were politically motivated, the incidents coincide with increased tensions surrounding Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in the U.S. government. Since Musk was appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump’s administration, Tesla locations have been subjected to vandalism and protests.
FBI Steps In Amid Rising Concerns
The FBI’s involvement in the investigation has raised questions about the severity of the attacks and the potential motivations behind them. The agency has yet to release a statement clarifying why it has taken an interest in these particular incidents.
“The FBI’s standard practice is to assist local agencies with their expertise or tools, for example, if it can benefit an investigation,” Hedrick explained when asked about federal involvement. (via SalemReporter)
Despite no confirmed political link, any see the attacks as part of a broader backlash against Musk’s political affiliations and his influence on government policy.
A Pattern of Targeted Attacks
The recent attack in Salem is part of a larger pattern of vandalism and violence directed at Tesla stores across Canada and the United States.
In Canada, Tesla stores and service centers have been subject to repeated vandalism, with profanity-laced graffiti and references to Nazis and Mazi imagery sprayed on the exterior of the buildings.
In the U.S., a Tesla dealership in Colorado was vandalized last month, and an attempted arson incident was reported at the scene. The FBI was also involved in that investigation.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the Salem incidents to come forward by contacting the police tip line at 503-588-8477.
