A suspect has been apprehended in connection with the recent fire at Senator Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office, an incident currently under investigation as arson. The Department of Justice reported that Shant Soghomonian, 35, also known as Michael Soghomonian, was arrested on Sunday on charges related to the use of fire to damage the building housing Sanders’ sole congressional office in the state.

According to court records, Soghomonian allegedly entered the building on Friday morning, proceeding to the third floor where Senator Sanders’ office is situated. Security footage captured the suspect spraying a liquid near the office’s outer door before igniting the area with a hand-held lighter, resulting in a blaze. The fire caused damage to the exterior of the office door and surrounding areas, triggering sprinklers on multiple floors of the building. Thankfully, despite several employees occupying the office at the time, there were no reported physical injuries.

In response to the incident, Senator Sanders expressed gratitude towards the prompt and professional response of law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. He emphasized his relief that none of the individuals present in the building during the fire sustained injuries and thanked everyone for their support during this challenging time.

Firefighters dispatched to the scene managed to contain the fire, which originated in the vestibule between the elevator and the entrance door to Sanders’ office. Sanders’ state director confirmed that no staff members were harmed, and the Senator himself was not present in the building at the time of the incident.

Soghomonian’s initial court appearance is pending, with potential penalties including five to twenty years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted. At present, it remains unclear whether Soghomonian has entered a plea.