According to the Department of Justice, on Sunday, a suspect was apprehended in connection with a fire at U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ office in Vermont, which is currently under investigation for arson.
The individual in question, identified as Shant Soghomonian, also known as Michael Soghomonian, is a 35-year-old male from Northridge, Calif.. Soghomonian was taken into custody on Sunday. He faces charges for allegedly setting fire to a building in Burlington, Vt., the location of one of Sen. Sanders’ offices.
According to court documents, Soghomonian entered the building on Friday morning and proceeded to the third floor, where Senator Sanders’ Burlington office is situated. The DOJ alleges that surveillance footage depicts someone spraying a liquid near the outer door of the office, igniting the area with a handheld lighter, resulting in a fire. Sander’s offices and offices neighboring were evacuated. The sprinkler system was then triggered, distinguishing the majority of the fire.