Photo: Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli
An arrest has been made in connection with the devastating Pacific Palisades Fire that occurred in January, killing 12 people and destroying over 6,800 structures in Los Angeles and Malibu. Federal law enforcement sources identified the suspect as 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht, who was apprehended at his home in Melbourne, Florida, on Tuesday (October 7). He is accused of starting the initial Lachman Fire, which later reignited as the Palisades Fire.
Rinderknecht, who was an Uber driver at the time, allegedly used an open flame to ignite the fire after dropping off passengers. Witnesses described him as "agitated and angry" on the night of the incident. Prosecutors claim he also used ChatGPT to create a dystopian image of a burning city, reflecting his alleged intentions.
The fire, which began on January 1 as the Lachman Fire, was initially suppressed but reignited on January 7 due to strong winds, becoming the Palisades Fire. It burned over 23,000 acres before being contained on January 31. The arrest comes after a nine-month investigation by federal and local authorities, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli expressed hope that the arrest would bring some justice to the victims, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Rinderknecht is set to make an initial court appearance in Orlando. The investigation into the fire's cause continues, with authorities not yet providing specific details on how the fire was started.
"While we cannot undo the damage and destruction that was done, we hope his arrest and the charges against him bring some measure of justice to the victims of this horrific tragedy," Essayli wrote on X.