A 19-year-old from Menasha, Wisconsin, is behind bars after allegedly setting fire to a strip mall housing a congressman’s office. His crime? A fiery reaction to the recent TikTok ban.
The suspect, whose name has not been revealed, is facing arson charges. Police say the young man torched the building out of anger over the federal move to restrict TikTok, the wildly popular video-sharing app.
Fire breaks out in Fond du Lac
The arson took place in Fond du Lac early in the morning. Around 1 a.m., fire broke out near Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman’s office. Thankfully, no one was inside, and no injuries were reported. The fire was quickly contained by first responders.
Fond du Lac police officers were the first on the scene. They used fire extinguishers to prevent the blaze from spreading until fire rescue teams arrived. Their swift action was praised by Chief Aaron Goldstein. He expressed relief that no one was hurt and emphasized the importance of public safety.
Police praise quick response, teen arrested
“Acts of violence are never acceptable. We’re grateful for the fast response and for ensuring the safety of our community,” Goldstein said.
The teen was arrested after being seen near the scene, watching the fire. Investigators believe his anger over the TikTok ban was the motive behind the arson. Police are now preparing to file charges against him with the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office.
The TikTok ban sparks 0utrage
The fire’s timing is no coincidence. The incident occurred just after the government imposed a brief 12-hour TikTok ban, which began on Saturday night. The move was part of a larger push to force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell its U.S. operations.
Rep. Grothman, who voted for the bill mandating the sale of TikTok’s U.S. branch last April, is at the center of the controversy. The 19-year-old suspect reportedly acted out of frustration with the decision. However, Grothman stated that such extreme actions are never acceptable.
“The TikTok issue is secondary. We can’t have people resorting to violence because they disagree with me,” he said.
As authorities prepare for the legal process, the teen remains in the Fond du Lac County Jail. His actions have sparked heated debates on both sides of the TikTok controversy. However, the message is clear: violence and destruction can never be justified, no matter the cause.
