Shant Michael Soghomonian, 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States is of Armenian descent. He has lived in different parts of California, USA including Northridge, Goleta and Canoga Park.
At around 10:45 a.m. on April 5, 2024, Soghomonian allegedly entered at 1 Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, USA. U.S. senator Bernie Sanders, 82, has an office on the third floor of the building, which is used in interstate commerce.
Soghomonian allegedly proceeded to the third floor, sprayed a liquid near the outer door of Sanders’ office and used a handheld lighter to light the area. As soon as a blaze started, he ran off through a staircase.
The building sprinklers discharged on multiple floors. The fire damaged the outside of the door of Sanders’ office and surrounding areas.
No one was physically injured during the incident. At the time, Sanders’ employees were inside the office while he was at a rally for hotel workers on strike in Los Angeles, California.
On April 7, 2024, Soghomonian was arrested. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five to 20 years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000.
Sanders was the mayor of Burlington from April 6, 1981 to April 4, 1989. He became a U.S. senator from Vermont on January 3, 2007.
CONAN Daily 