Authorities have arrested a man in connection with an alleged arson at Senator Bernie Sanders’ office in Vermont. Shant Soghomonian, also known as Michael, was charged with using fire to damage the building in Burlington. He was recorded on security video spraying a liquid near the office door and lighting it with a handheld lighter before leaving through a staircase as the fire spread. The fire caused damage to the outside of the office door and sprinklers were activated on multiple floors. No injuries were reported, but multiple employees were in the office at the time of the incident.
Bernie Sanders expressed gratitude for the swift response of law enforcement and the support and well-wishes received from the community. He emphasized his continued dedication to serving Vermonters during challenging times. If convicted, Soghomonian faces between five and 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. The Justice Department has not identified a lawyer for the suspect. Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak thanked law enforcement and partners for their work in apprehending the suspect and offered support to Sanders’ staff through the Burlington Community Justice Center.
The Burlington Police Department previously raised concerns about the egress of staff members working in the office when the fire engulfed the door and part of the vestibule. The police credited the swift, professional, and coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement in responding to the incident. Sanders’ office building had multiple people present at the time of the fire, though it is unclear how many others were in the building. The fire damaged the exterior of the office door and surrounding areas, with sprinklers discharging on multiple floors to contain the blaze.
Senator Sanders voiced his appreciation for the outpouring of support and well-wishes for him and his staff following the incident at his office. He highlighted the importance of continuing to serve Vermonters despite the challenging circumstances. Soghomonian, the suspect in the arson case, allegedly entered the building on Friday morning and went to the third floor where the senator’s offices are located. He was captured on security footage igniting a fire near the outer door before leaving as the blaze spread. Authorities have not disclosed the motives behind the arson incident.
Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak praised the efforts of law enforcement agencies and partners in swiftly resolving the investigation and apprehending the suspect. She offered ongoing support through the Burlington Community Justice Center to assist Senator Sanders’ staff as they navigate the impacts of the incident. The suspect, Soghomonian, could potentially face severe penalties if convicted, including years in prison and significant fines. The Justice Department is continuing to investigate the case and has not yet assigned legal representation for the suspect.
