By Edward Helmore
BURLINGTON, Vt. (Guardian) — 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, April 7, said Shant Soghomonian, 35, had been charged with using fire to damage the building but did not include any reason for his alleged actions.
Soghomonian, who has also gone by the first name Michael, was listed as being from Northridge, Calif. He allegedly entered the building on Friday, April 5, went to the third floor where Sanders’ offices are situated, and sprayed the entry door with an accelerant.
He then set fire to the door with a handheld lighter — all in view of a security camera that was recording video, the Justice Department said.
Soghomonian then left through a staircase as the fire spread, damaging the door and triggering the sprinkler system. Several employees were in the progressive senator’s office at the time, though no injuries were reported.
