By Charles Switzer
2:13am PDT, Mar 16, 2025
Gunfire and Vandalism Target Tesla Dealership in Oregon
A Tesla dealership in Tigard, Oregon, was struck by gunfire the morning of Thursday, March 13, marking the second shooting at the location within a week.
According to the Tigard Police Department, more than a dozen shots were fired at approximately 4:15 a.m., shattering showroom windows and damaging multiple vehicles. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported.
The attack follows a similar shooting on March 6, as law enforcement officials investigate whether Tesla is being deliberately targeted due to CEO
Elon Musk's deepening ties to the second Donald Trump administration.
Here's what happened.
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Federal Authorities Investigate Coordinated Attacks
The repeated attacks have prompted a federal response, with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) now assisting local police in the investigation.
Authorities deployed an ATF explosives detection dog at the scene to help identify shell casings and other ballistic evidence.
As incidents of vandalism and destruction continue to spread across Tesla properties nationwide, investigators are looking into possible connections between the Oregon dealership shootings and
other Tesla-related incidents.
Growing Nationwide Protests
Tesla has increasingly become a target for protests and acts of vandalism in the wake of Elon Musk's leadership role in the Donald Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency
(DOGE). Demonstrators opposing Musk's role in downsizing the federal workforce have taken to attacking Tesla properties, including a Seattle-area dealership where six Tesla Cybertrucks were spray-painted with swastikas and profanities directed at Musk over the weekend.
Additionally, four Cybertrucks were destroyed in a massive blaze in Seattle, Washington, though authorities have not confirmed whether the fire was intentional.
Trump Backs Musk Amid Tesla's Declining Fortunes
As Tesla faces mounting public backlash, plunging sales, and declining stock prices, President Donald Trump has openly rallied behind Elon Musk.
In a show of support, Trump announced Tuesday, March 11, that he would purchase a new Tesla, hoping to bolster the company's image. The move reflects the deep political alliance between Trump and Musk, as the billionaire's policies within DOGE continue to spark fierce opposition.
While Trump remains steadfast in his support, the attacks on Tesla properties suggest that public sentiment may be shifting against Musk's involvement in government affairs.
Authorities Brace for More Unrest
With tensions rising and Tesla properties repeatedly coming under attack, law enforcement agencies are ramping up security measures to prevent further incidents. Officials have yet to identify suspects in the Oregon shootings or the Seattle fire, but the pattern of targeted attacks suggests an escalating wave of opposition against Musk and his policies.
As the Donald Trump administration continues to push forward with its government restructuring plans, Tesla's future may remain entangled in political controversy.
