Worker who allegedly set fire to California warehouse compares self to Luigi Mangione
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, has been charged with multiple felony and state arson counts after allegedly setting fire to the Kimberly-Clark warehouse in Ontario, California, causing over $600 million in damages.
- The fire, which began around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, escalated into a six-alarm blaze involving about 175 firefighters and destroyed $500 million in paper products and the $150 million warehouse.
- Abdulkarim reportedly compared himself to Luigi Mangione, a suspect in a high-profile murder case, in a message to co-workers after the fire, and a video posted on social media shows him igniting combustibles while expressing financial grievances.
- Initially, Abdulkarim was not suspected, with co-workers and authorities considering other causes including robotic malfunctions, but video evidence led to his arrest shortly after the fire.
- If convicted, Abdulkarim faces up to 10 years in prison, with state charges to be addressed before federal proceedings.
