Authorities have arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with an alleged arson at Sen. Bernie Sanders' office in Vermont. The suspect, Shant Soghomonian, was charged with using fire to damage the building in Burlington. Soghomonian, also known as Michael, is from Northridge, California.
According to court records cited by the Justice Department, Soghomonian entered the building on Friday morning and proceeded to the third floor where the senator's offices are located. Security footage captured him spraying a liquid near the office door and igniting it with a lighter before fleeing as the fire spread.
The blaze damaged the office door and surrounding areas, triggering sprinklers on multiple floors. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as multiple employees were present in the office at the time.
In response to the incident, Sen. Sanders expressed gratitude for the swift response of law enforcement and the safety of everyone involved. He also thanked the community for their support during this challenging time.
If convicted, Soghomonian could face between five and 20 years in prison along with a fine of up to $250,000. The Justice Department has not yet identified a lawyer for the suspect.
Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak commended the efforts of law enforcement in apprehending the suspect and offered support to Senator Sanders' staff through the Burlington Community Justice Center.
