Police say they have arrested a man with ties to California after a security guard. captured video Someone sprayed a liquid on the front door of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (R-Vt.) office and set it on fire.
Federal prosecutors said the video showed a man entering a building in Burlington, Vermont, on Friday and going up to the third floor, where Sanders’ office is located. He poured liquid on the front door and set it on fire with his handheld lighter.
United States Attorney’s Office Said The fire reportedly activated the sprinklers, causing fire and water damage. There were no injuries, and employees inside the office were evacuated. Mr. Sanders was not in his office at the time, but the man fled the building through the stairs.
Police later identified the man as 35-year-old Shant Sogomonian and arrested him Sunday at the Inn at Burlington in South Burlington. An employee at the inn told police the man had been living there for several weeks.
When police knocked on Sogomonian’s door, they heard a sound that sounded like something heavy was being pressed against the door. Realizing the door was locked, they forced it open and successfully arrested the suspect.
He was charged with starting a fire in a building used for interstate commerce. If convicted, Sogomonian faces a fine of up to $250,000 and 20 years in prison.
It’s unclear what Sogomonian’s motives were, but he reportedly made several donations to Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign. Prosecutors said Sogomonian previously lived in Northridge, California.
Investigator Said There was evidence that the alleged arson was a “potentially planned act rather than a spontaneous incident.”
Mr. Sanders releases preliminary paper statement About the arrest.
“We deeply appreciate the swift, professional and coordinated efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to respond to the fire that occurred at our offices in Vermont on Friday,” the statement said. “We are also grateful that the many people who were in the office building at the time of the fire were not injured.”
Sogomonian was held at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.
Reports regarding this incident are as follows:
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!
