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

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