Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Year : 2, Issue : 15
Shant Soghomonian was charged over attack on the office in which staffers were working but none were reported injured.
Authorities say they have arrested an alleged arsonist accused of setting the US senator Bernie Sanders’ Burlington, Vermont, office on fire while staff worked inside – but investigators have yet to release details about a possible a motive.
A justice department notification published on Sunday said Shant Soghomonian, 35, had been charged with using fire to damage the building but did not include any reason for his alleged actions.
The Burlington police department said the fire engulfing the door and part of the vestibule had impeded “staff members who were working in the office” from exiting, which endangered their lives.
In a statement to CNN, Sanders said:
“I am deeply grateful to the swift, professional, coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement in response to the fire at my Vermont office.”
If convicted, Soghomonian could face between five and 20 years in prison as well as up to a $250,000 fine, according to the justice department.
Source: The Guardian
