ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WKRN) — An Ashland City man was arrested after allegedly saying he was “going to burn down” the xAI supercomputer facility in Memphis.
As of publication, an EMT who has worked for a private ambulance company in Nashville is in the Cheatham County Jail after being charged with an act of terrorism. On Feb. 19, Ashland City officers were called to an apartment complex on Highway 12 after receiving a call about “concerning statements” made by 25-year-old Ethan Early.
According to the affidavit, Early told a friend “he was going to burn down one of Elon Musks data centers using Thermite [sic].” Arresting documents added Early “admitted he was very upset with Elon Musk and Donald Trump.”
Additionally, the document said Early purchased components to make thermite, which is a component of some incendiary bombs. Thermite reacts intensely and creates tremendous heat — up to 4,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Water will not extinguish the reaction.
News 2 went to Early’s apartment complex. He wasn’t home, but his neighbor Daniel Burke was. Burke said he did not know Early and was shocked to learn one of his neighbors had been arrested on an act of terrorism charge.
“[I] do not support anyone who is intent on committing any form of violence against the federal government, the employees or any other political figures,” Burke added. “I think it is irresponsible and does not help the political situation within this country to commit violence against those individuals.”
According to the affidavit, Early told police he had gotten “too wrapped up in politics” and “felt like he needed to do something,” but his friends talked him out of it. Early reportedly added he was ashamed of getting “so carried away.”
“When it comes to any form of terroristic intent, it is very important that all individuals who know the individual and see the individual are able to say something and not keep it to themselves,” Burke added.
The thermite components, according to Ashland City police, were thrown into a dumpster last week and have not been recovered. However, since the chemicals were never combined and were not ignited, the materials were inert.
Early declined an opportunity to speak with News 2. Neither the FBI nor the Secret Service provided comment on this case. Mark Wildasin with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee said the office was aware of the situation but was “not in a position to comment beyond that at this time.”
“It was a welfare check,” Sergeant Alexis Duncan with the Ashland City Police Department said. “Some of his friends and co-workers were a little bit concerned about some things that he was saying regarding the politics, and it was one of those things where he made some things and said some things he shouldn’t have done.”
