A Tesla owner in Lowell says his car was shot at on Jackson Street. The incident is part of a pattern of vandalism and arson targeting Teslas, with doxxing site DogeQuest helping identify targets. Police have made arrests in Colorado, South Carolina, Oregon, and locally.
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The story that you will only see right here on NBC 10 Boston. A Tesla owner says his vehicle was recently shot at in Lowell, and he thinks it's part of targeted attacks on Tesla as some protest the company CEO Elon Musk. NBC 10's Michael Rosenfeld is joining us live from Lowell. He's got the full details on this story. Michael.
Well, Colton, there have been incidents targeting Teslas all around the country, and now a Tesla owner here in Lowell says he was shot at while driving his car here on Jackson Street. A bullet hole in a Tesla. The car's owner says he was shot at on Jackson Street in Lowell.
In my rearview mirror, I was able to see the guy hold up his two hands, and all of a sudden I just heard rapid firing.
And he believes he was targeted because of the brand.
The car started to like lose all of its acceleration, had multiple alarms.
The Lowell resident, who does not want to be identified, says he and his son had just pulled out of an apartment complex on Sunday and when he heard the barrage of bullets. He says his vehicle was hit twice.
You know, it's a sore thumb, we're a Tesla, right? So why didn't he target anybody else?
The incident comes at a time when Tesla's Tesla charging stations and Tesla dealerships have been the target of vandals and arsonists. The backlash in response to Tesla founder Elon Musk's role in government cutbacks.
Buying Tesla doesn't mean you're in support of Elon Musk. You just like electric car. You might be just, uh, supportive of sustainable energies.
Now, a new website called DogeQuest has been listing the names of Tesla owners and their personal information. It's a form of doxxing, and cybersecurity experts say that's worrisome.
I think there's some danger involved here because we've seen plenty of people out there right now torching, uh, Tesla dealerships and the pumps. And those who actually have Teslas might actually become victims of actual physical violence.
On Thursday, it was announced that 3 alleged arsonists were arrested in connection with anti-Tesla incidents in Colorado South Carolina, and Oregon. As for the gunfire in Lowell, the Tesla owner says he wants to turn the car in because it's too dangerous out in public.
It's a huge problem and it's a real problem, and that's why I actually asked them to buy back the vehicle. So I'm in that process with Tesla.
Lowell police tell us a man has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting here on Jackson Street, but more details on the investigation have not yet been released. Live in Lowell tonight, Michael Rosenfield, NBC 10 Boston.
