A man named Shant Soghomonian was charged with setting a fire outside the Vermont office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, according to federal prosecutors. Security video showed Soghomonian spraying a liquid on the door of Sanders’ office and setting it on fire, causing damage to the building’s interior. However, no one was hurt in the incident, as Sanders was not in the office at the time. Soghomonian, who was previously from California, was arrested on a charge of using fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce, and the motive for his actions remained unclear.
The crime carried a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Soghomonian was detained on Sunday and could not be reached for comment. It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer, and an initial court appearance had not been set, according to officials. The case was investigated by a number of law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Burlington, Shelburne, and Williston, as well as Vermont State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Capitol Police.
The incident occurred when Soghomonian entered the building and went to Sanders’ third-floor office, where he set the fire. The building suffered damage from the fire and sprinklers that were activated to put out the flames. Sanders, who is an independent Senator, was not present in the office at the time. The motive behind Soghomonian’s actions was not immediately clear, and it was unclear if he had any connection to Sanders or any specific reason for targeting the senator’s office.
Soghomonian faces serious charges for his actions, with the potential for a lengthy prison sentence and a hefty fine. The investigation into the incident involved multiple law enforcement agencies, indicating the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case. While no one was injured in the incident, the damage caused by the fire highlights the potential consequences of such reckless actions. The motive behind the attack remains a mystery, leaving many questions unanswered as to why Soghomonian targeted Senator Sanders’ office in Vermont.
