Authorities have arrested a man in connection with an alleged arson at Senator Bernie Sanders’ office in Vermont. Shant Soghomonian, 35, 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. The fire damaged the outside of the office door and surrounding areas, but no injuries were reported. Multiple employees were in the office at the time, along with other individuals in the building.
The Burlington Police Department stated that the fire endangered the lives of the staff members who were working in the office. Senator Sanders expressed gratitude for the quick response of law enforcement agencies and the support and well-wishes received. If convicted, Soghomonian could face 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 arresting the suspect and offered support to Senator Sanders’ staff.
Senator Sanders released a statement thanking law enforcement for their response to the fire at his Vermont office and expressed gratitude that no one was injured during the incident. He also expressed appreciation for the support and well-wishes received and stated that he and his staff are proud to continue serving Vermonters during challenging times. The fire at his office resulted in damage to the outside of the door and surrounding areas, as well as the activation of sprinklers on multiple floors.
Soghomonian, also known as Michael, allegedly entered the building on Friday morning and went to the third floor where Senator Sanders’ offices are located. He was caught on security video spraying a liquid near the office door and igniting it with a handheld lighter before leaving the scene. The fire caused damage to the office door and surrounding areas, as well as the activation of sprinklers on multiple floors. The swift response of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies helped in containing the fire and ensuring the safety of those present in the building.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, played a crucial role in the investigation and arrest of Soghomonian. The Burlington Community Justice Center offered support to Senator Sanders’ staff following the incident, and Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak expressed gratitude for the swift resolution to the investigation. The suspect could face significant penalties if convicted, including a lengthy prison sentence and a hefty fine. The motive behind the arson at Senator Sanders’ office remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.
