Police called to remove ‘incendiary’ devices found at Austin Tesla dealership

The Austin Police Department’s bomb squad was dispatched Monday morning to remove “suspicious” devices from a Tesla dealership in the state’s capital city, according to media reports.

The devices were “determined to be incendiary,” authorities told Austin NBC affiliate KXAN-TV. The bomb squad was able to remove them from the showroom without incident, Austin police also said.

Agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, also were present at the business, located at 12845 N. Highway 183, KXAN reports, citing an agency spokesperson.

Billionaire and Trump donor Elon Musk owns Tesla, and the brand’s dealerships have been targeted both with acts of vandalism and peaceful protests over his involvement in the White House’s sweeping efforts to dismantle federal agencies and fire government workers.

Tesla’s share price and sales have also plummeted due to public backlash over Musk’s actions, which have included not just layoffs and agency closures but reposting inflammatory remarks about government workers and throwing public support behind Germany’s far-right party. 

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This article appears in Mar 19 – Apr 1, 2025.