Parkville man, 19, used Molotov cocktail in Tesla Center arson in March, investigators say
A Parkville man who attends college in Boston faces federal charges related to an arson at a KC Tesla Center in March, according to authorities.
Owen McIntire, 19, appeared in federal court in Massachusetts on Friday. McIntire is charged with one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of malicious damage by fire of any property used in interstate commerce, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The FBI Kansas City and Boston field offices, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Kansas City police are investigating the case.
“Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: You will not evade us,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”
According to an affidavit, on March 17 at approximately 11:16 p.m., a Kansas City police officer in the area of the Tesla Center, at 10111 State Line Road, saw smoke coming from a gray Cybertruck parked in the center’s parking lot. The officer also saw and collected an unbroken suspected incendiary device, also known as a Molotov cocktail, near the burning Cybertruck.
The Molotov cocktail was a clear apple cider vinegar bottle, and a burnt rag was found next to it on the pavement, the affidavit said.
The officer attempted to put out the flames with his fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful. The fire spread to a second Cybertruck in the lot, and firefighters responded to the scene to extinguish the fire, according to the affidavit.
The Cybertrucks had sale prices of $105,485 and $107,485, the affidavit said. Two charging stations were also damaged by the fire, both valued at approximately $550.
Surveillance footage and DNA supply key evidence
According to the affidavit, a witness’ surveillance footage, from one block west of the Tesla Center in Leawood, showed McIntire parking his car outside their home.
License plate reader footage showed a vehicle registered to McIntire passing through the intersection at 103rd Street and State Line Road at 11:00 p.m. on March 17. Footage also showed the vehicle traveling southbound on Southwest Trafficway from 39th Street, a route investigators know is on the way from McIntire’s Parkville residence, the affidavit said.
Surveillance footage from a nearby business and the Tesla Center showed McIntire in dark, flowy clothing and a large, white hat, carrying a light colored bag, according to records. Tesla Center footage allegedly showed McIntire lighting a device, which ignites, and throwing it on a Cybertruck.
McIntire then returned to the area of the witness’ home on foot and was seen leaving the area in his vehicle around 11:13 p.m., investigators said.
A second witness who posted video of the fire on X was passing the Tesla Center and took video of the fire when they saw McIntire fleeing the scene. The witness gave authorities a description of McIntire.
A day after the fire, a third witness, a Tesla Center employee, saw a person in the area where McIntire was and gave authorities a description that matched the other witnesses’ description.
McIntire’s hat was found by investigators in the backyard of the first witness’ Leawood home the day after the fire. DNA analysis resulted in one male profile, which was located on the hat and the rag recovered at the scene, according to the affidavit.
Law enforcement also used McIntire’s flight information, social media profiles and phone records to come to their conclusion of McIntire’s involvement.
This story was originally published April 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM.