North Dakotan vandalizes Cybertruck on video
A Tesla Cybertruck was keyed in the West Fargo Costco parking lot just before 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. The same folks that, not so long ago, advocated for a de-facto mandate forcing consumers to buy EVs are now vandalizing them. Can we all just agree to respect each other’s property?
The suspect, 25-year-old Ryan Lyle Williams of Fargo, admitted to the alleged crime. The suspect was arrested and charged with felony criminal mischief. The Cybertruck’s camera system, called “Sentry mode,” caught the vandalism on video and helped to identify the suspect. Footage of the keying is available at Fox News.
And the damage, from the victim via Inforum:
The victim told The Forum the following:
While he’s received some disapproving looks and hand gestures while driving his Cybertruck, he’s never experienced anything like this.
He said he’s not fearful for his safety, but he’s growing tired of the harassment and feels it’s only getting worse.
“I’m not concerned about my safety. I’m concerned about this continuing, and that’s why I’m reluctant to say exactly where I live,” he said. “This was so brazen.”
Benson said the Cybertruck video also showed a couple walk up to view the damage just 30 seconds after the incident.
“People saw this happen. It was right in the middle of the parking lot,” he said. “Who’s to say someone might not drive by my house and see it and get out and do it right in front of my house?”
No one should be mandated to buy EVs, but any consumer should have the option to purchase one — or continue driving a car they may have purchased years ago — if it makes sense for their priorities, circumstances and finances. As the National Review editorial board writes about the larger pattern of vandalism: “While it is, of course, okay for Americans who are upset about Musk to refuse to buy Teslas, or to convince their friends and neighbors not to buy Teslas, there is no place for any form of violence.”
Amen. If one must protest, then use free speech, free association, and all of the other good stuff that the Constitution guarantees — not violence.