Alleged Palisades arsonist became ‘fixated’ with Luigi Mangione, started blaze ‘out of resentment of the rich’: prosecutors
Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 30-year-old Uber driver, is accused of starting the deadly Palisades Fire in early 2025 that destroyed 7,000 structures and killed 12 people. Prosecutors allege he became fixated on Luigi Mangione and expressed resentment toward the wealthy, which motivated the arson. Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail without bail.
- ▪Jonathan Rinderknecht is charged with federal arson for allegedly starting the Palisades Fire in January 2025.
- ▪Prosecutors say Rinderknecht was fixated on Luigi Mangione and searched phrases like 'free Luigi Mangione' and 'lets take down all the billionaires.'
- ▪He reportedly told Uber passengers he was angry at the world, capitalism, and discussed Mangione and vigilantism.
- ▪Rinderknecht allegedly said he would set the fire out of resentment toward the rich, comparing it to Mangione's alleged act of violence.
- ▪The Palisades Fire caused $150 billion in damages and destroyed 7,000 homes and businesses.
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US News Alleged Palisades arsonist became ‘fixated’ with Luigi Mangione, started blaze ‘out of resentment of the rich’: prosecutors By Emily Crane Published May 4, 2026, 8:58 a.m. ET The deranged firebug accused of igniting the devastating Palisades Fire had become “fixated” with Luigi Mangione in the lead up to the deadly blaze — and then allegedly suggested the inferno was started out of “resentment of the rich,” prosecutors said. Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, was obsessed with the accused healthcare CEO killer and had routinely searched “free Luigi Mangione” and “lets take down all the billionaires” online, court documents show. 3 Jonathan Rinderknecht is accused of setting the deadly Palisades fire.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at US News – Latest Breaking Headlines, Photos & Videos | New York Post.
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