On a recent Sunday, law enforcement apprehended Shant Soghomonian, identified also as Michael Soghomonian, 35, formerly of Northridge, California, in connection with a deliberate fire at Senator Bernie Sanders‘ office in Vermont.
The Department of Justice is treating the incident as arson, spotlighting the severity of the act. Soghomonian is accused of infiltrating the Burlington building, targeting the third floor where Sanders’ office is situated. Court documents reveal security footage captured him spraying a flammable liquid outside the office door, igniting it, and thereby initiating a fire.
Bernie Sanders (Credits: Truthout)
The blaze damaged the senator’s office door and adjacent areas. It also triggered the building’s sprinkler system, affecting multiple floors. At the time, several of Sanders’ staff were inside the office, although, fortunately, no physical injuries were reported.
Sanders, expressing his gratitude towards the prompt and coordinated response from various law enforcement agencies, acknowledged the professionalism that ensured no individuals were harmed during the fire.
Responding to the scene on Friday, firefighting teams discovered the fire in the building’s vestibule, adjacent to the entrance of Sanders’ state office. Sanders’ state director, Kathryn Van Haste, confirmed that all staff present were unharmed, and Sanders himself was not in the building when the fire occurred.
Bernie Sanders (Credits: Politico)
The legal proceedings for Soghomonian are pending, with an initial court appearance yet to be scheduled. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of five to twenty years and a fine of up to $250,000. The gravity of the charges against him is clear. As the case spreads, the specifics of Soghomonian’s plea remain to be disclosed.
This event underscores the importance of security for public officials and the swift actions of emergency services and law enforcement in protecting citizens and property. Sanders’s response to the incident, emphasizing an appreciation for the support and well-wishes from the community, highlights his commitment to serving Vermonters despite these trying circumstances.
