On Sunday, police arrested a man who was accused of starting a fire outside the office of independent Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont identified the man in a statement as 35-year-old Shant Soghomonian, also known as Michael Soghomonian.
Security footage shows Soghomonian allegedly entering the building in Burlington, Vermont, on Friday morning before heading to the third office where Sanders’ office is and then spraying an arsonist liquid near the office’s outer door before starting a fire using a lighter, the statement shared.
While several employees were inside working, Sanders was not at the office at the time, authorities shared. Those present were not injured during the incident, authorities shared.
The fire caused damage to the office door and the areas around it and was eventually put out by the sprinkler system in the building, officials shared.
The Burlington Fire Department did respond, describing the damage as moderate outside Sanders’ office, but the water damage was significant in other parts of the building.
After he allegedly started the fire, Soghomonian fled down the stairs, escaping the building before first responders arrived.
Police eventually caught up with him, arresting him on Sunday. An initial appearance for Soghomonian in court has not yet been scheduled.
“I am deeply grateful to the swift, professional, coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement in response to the fire at my Vermont office on Friday,” Sanders said in a Saturday statement. “I am also thankful that none of the many people who were in the office building at the time of the fire were injured. I appreciate the outpouring of support and well-wishes for me and my staff. We are proud to be able to continue to serve Vermonters during these challenging times.”