Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old former Uber driver, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday and charged with destruction of property by means of fire in connection with the Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed over 6,000 structures in January.</span

Independent

BBC News

Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old former Uber driver, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday and charged with destruction of property by means of fire in connection with the Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed over 6,000 structures in January.

Federal prosecutors allege Rinderknecht intentionally started the Lachman Fire on New Year's Day 2025, which firefighters suppressed but continued smoldering underground before reigniting on January 7 during high winds to become the Palisades Fire.</span

Rolling Stone

Federal prosecutors allege Rinderknecht intentionally started the Lachman Fire on New Year's Day 2025, which firefighters suppressed but continued smoldering underground before reigniting on January 7 during high winds to become the Palisades Fire.

Evidence collected from Rinderknecht's digital devices included ChatGPT-generated images of burning cities and dystopian scenes, as well as records showing he repeatedly listened to a French rap song whose music video depicted objects being set on fire.</span

New York Post

Axios

Evidence collected from Rinderknecht's digital devices included ChatGPT-generated images of burning cities and dystopian scenes, as well as records showing he repeatedly listened to a French rap song whose music video depicted objects being set on fire.

Investigators determined Rinderknecht used his phone to call 911 multiple times to report the fire he allegedly started, and during one call he asked ChatGPT whether cigarettes could cause fires, which prosecutors say was an attempt to create an innocent explanation.</span

Daily Mail

Los Angeles Times

Investigators determined Rinderknecht used his phone to call 911 multiple times to report the fire he allegedly started, and during one call he asked ChatGPT whether cigarettes could cause fires, which prosecutors say was an attempt to create an innocent explanation.

The Palisades Fire burned more than 23,000 acres across Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu over three weeks, becoming the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history and causing an estimated $150 billion in damages to the wealthy coastal communities.</span

FOX News

Breitbart

The Palisades Fire burned more than 23,000 acres across Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu over three weeks, becoming the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history and causing an estimated $150 billion in damages to the wealthy coastal communities.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called the arrest an important step toward bringing closure to thousands of displaced residents, while Los Angeles officials face scrutiny over emergency response delays and failure to fully extinguish the original January 1 fire.</span

Newsweek

Verge

California Governor Gavin Newsom called the arrest an important step toward bringing closure to thousands of displaced residents, while Los Angeles officials face scrutiny over emergency response delays and failure to fully extinguish the original January 1 fire.

Ex-Uber Driver Arrested for Starting Deadly Palisades Fire

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Ex-Uber Driver Arrested for Starting Deadly Palisades Fire

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