Austin Tesla dealership bomb investigation; suspicious devices found
Suspicious devices found at Tesla dealership in Austin
The Austin Police Department says it is investigating after suspicious devices were found at a Tesla dealership in North Austin.
AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department says it is investigating after suspicious devices were found at a Tesla dealership in North Austin.
Suspicious devices at Tesla in North Austin
The backstory:
Austin police say officers responded to a call at around 8:04 a.m. to a Tesla dealership located at 12845 N. US 183 Highway Service Road northbound.
When the officers arrived, they found suspicious devices.
The APD Bomb Squad was called in to investigate.
The devices were determined to be incendiary and were taken into police custody without incident.
Police say this is in an ongoing investigation.
What they're saying:
Austin City Council member Krista Laine's office released a statement in response to the incident. Laine represents District 6 where the dealership is located.
"This morning, APD officers responded to a call at a Tesla dealership in Northwest Austin in District 6. APD bomb squad officers determined the presence of incendiary devices and took them into police custody without incident. 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."
Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn posted on X about the incident:
Attacks on Tesla nationwide
Dig deeper:
The bomb scare adds to the number of Tesla attacks under investigation across the country.
There have been targeted incidents in at least nine states since the beginning of the year.
RELATED: FBI reportedly launching task force to crack down on Tesla vandals
The Trump administration is calling for an end to the violent crimes.
"It's despicable, the violence that has taken place against Tesla, the company, its employees and also just Americans who have chosen to drive an electric vehicle. We would like democrats to also come out and condemn this heinous violence that we have seen," says U.S. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Tesla protest in Austin
People across the country are protesting Tesla as CEO Elon Musk takes a prominent role in the Trump Administration. FOX 7's Lauren Rangel talked to protesters outside of a Tesla dealership in Austin on Saturday.
There have been Tesla takedown protests held at the dealership this month. The latest one was held on Saturday urging the public to stop supporting Tesla.
Although the group has been vocal about their stance, the protesters have not been linked to Monday’s bomb scare at the car lot.
"This is insane, and we cannot stand for this unelected person wielding almost unlimited power throughout our government. We have to show that the public wants change, and we want Elon Musk out of the federal government and for Austinites, we want Elon Musk out of Austin," said protester Jimmy Flanagan.
The Tesla brand has become a target after Elon Musk began leading the Department of Government Efficiency known as "DOGE" in January.
DOGE is responsible for cutting back on waste in the federal government and the mass layoff of federal employees.
The Source: Information from Austin Police Department, statements from city leaders, interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Tan Radford, and previous coverage