'Incendiary' devices found at Tesla showroom in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Devices that were deemed "incendiary" were found at a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas, on Monday morning, the city's police department said.

Austin police said officers responded to a call about suspicious devices at the showroom around 8 a.m. and the bomb squad was called out to investigate.

The devices were "determined to be incendiary" and were taken by police without incident, the Austin Police Department said. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also responded to the scene, an agency spokesperson told Nexstar's KXAN.

There have been numerous instances of vandalism aimed at Tesla showrooms and cars throughout the nation in the past few weeks, ranging from cars being defaced to cars or even Tesla chargers set on fire. In one instance, the Associated Press reported an Oregon man was arrested after he was accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a store in Salem. It prompted the Justice Department last week to investigate, with Attorney General Pam Bondi saying, "The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism."

Devices that were deemed "incendiary" by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
Devices that were deemed "incendiary" by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
Devices that were deemed "incendiary" by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)

About a hundred protesters gathered each of the last two weekends outside the Austin showroom to voice their displeasure with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. Those protests were not violent and didn't result in any arrests.

A spokesperson for the FBI confirmed it was investigating this incident, along with others recently reported. The FBI recommended the public read the PSA released Friday on those incidents and how the public can "exercise vigilance and to look out for suspicious activity in areas occupied by Tesla dealerships or Tesla-related entities."

City Council Member Krista Laine, who represents this area of Austin, told KXAN she is discussing the incident with APD Chief Lisa Davis.

"I am incredibly thankful to our APD officers for their prompt response to this incident and quick resolution ensuring that no one was hurt. I strongly condemn any action that puts the people of Austin in danger. No matter the motivation, violence of any kind is unacceptable. I am deeply relieved that no one was hurt during this incident and am in discussion with APD Chief Lisa Davis about how to ensure our residents’ protection in the case of future violent escalations," Laine said.

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