Federal prosecutors have filed arson charges against a 29-year-old California man accused of intentionally setting fire to a massive logistics facility in San Bernardino County. Chamel Abdulkarim faces both federal and state counts following the destruction of a 1.2 million square foot warehouse in Ontario.
The incident escalated into a six-alarm blaze that required dozens of fire crews to contain. Local authorities reported that while the economic damage is expected to reach millions of dollars, no injuries occurred during the emergency response.
Investigators allege that Abdulkarim recorded the blaze and shared footage of the inferno on social media. Federal agents arrested him after a swift investigation linked his movements to the facility shortly before the fire was reported.
Court documents suggest the suspect was motivated by recent high-profile anti-corporate violence. Sources close to the investigation indicate Abdulkarim cited Luigi Mangione, the man charged with assassinating a UnitedHealthcare executive, as an inspiration for the warehouse attack.
This case has raised concerns among law enforcement regarding potential copycat incidents. Officials are currently monitoring digital platforms for signs of radicalization linked to corporate or systemic grievances.
The targeted warehouse served as a critical node in regional supply chains. Its destruction is expected to cause significant logistical disruptions, and forensic teams are still assessing the full extent of the structural loss.
Under the administration of President Donald Trump, federal agencies have emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward infrastructure sabotage. Department of Justice officials stated they intend to pursue the maximum penalties allowed under federal law.
If convicted of the federal arson charges, Abdulkarim faces a possible sentence of several decades in prison. He remains in custody pending a preliminary hearing in the U.S. District Court.
Legal experts note that the suspect’s decision to broadcast the crime on social media provides prosecutors with substantial evidence. Defense counsel for Abdulkarim has not yet issued a statement regarding the charges.