Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 30-year-old Uber driver on trial for allegedly sparking the devastating Palisades Fire, had searched for the home address of DoorDash CEO Tony Xu because he planned to murder him, according to federal testimony Thursday.
Background
Rinderknecht's federal arson trial opened in Los Angeles on Wednesday. He has pleaded not guilty to a string of federal charges stemming from the January 1 blaze that leveled 7,000 homes and businesses, caused $150 billion in damages, and left 12 people dead.
Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht became 'fixated' on Luigi Mangione—the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—before the wildfire erupted. According to testimony, Rinderknecht routinely searched phrases including 'free Luigi Mangione' and 'lets take down all the billionaires' online.
Rinderknecht previously worked for DoorDash before becoming an Uber driver, creating what prosecutors described as a personal grievance against Xu stemming from his employment experience with the company.
The Investigation
ATF Special Agent Michael Montevidoni provided bombshell testimony Wednesday and Thursday, detailing how investigators uncovered Rinderknecht's alleged plans against the CEO. Montevidoni revealed that Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT for Xu's address because 'he was going to kill him.' He also inquired whether Xu had children and surveillance cameras at his home.
The investigation deepened when Montevidoni interviewed several of Rinderknecht's Uber passengers, who recounted disturbing statements made the night the fire broke out. One passenger, Macy Miller, testified that during her ride, Rinderknecht discussed vigilantism, anti-capitalism, and expressed hatred toward President Trump.
"I told my friend Sam right when we got out, I was just like, 'He's a psychopath I just know it, he's a serial killer or something,'" Miller stated. "I had such a bad feeling after the ride."
Prosecutors filed a trial memorandum describing passengers' accounts of Rinderknecht as "angry, intense, driving erratically, and ranting about being 'pissed off at the world' and Luigi Mangione, capitalism, and vigilantism."
Montevidoni outlined a suspicious timeline of events during the fire's early hours. Rinderknecht called 911 multiple times shortly after the blaze began, with recordings capturing him saying: "There's a fire, there's a fire... There's a fire at top of Pacific Palisades highland."
While speaking to dispatchers, Rinderknecht screen-recorded his conversation and simultaneously asked ChatGPT: "Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes?" Montevidoni testified this conduct appeared designed to create an 'alternative reason for why the fire was started and have a record to show at a later period.'
Key Takeaways
- Rinderknecht allegedly asked ChatGPT for DoorDash CEO Tony Xu's address, stating he planned to kill him
- He previously worked for DoorDash before driving for Uber, giving him potential motive related to his employment history
- Investigators say Rinderknecht was 'fixated' on Luigi Mangione and searched pro-Mangione phrases online before the fire
- Multiple passengers testified Rinderknecht expressed support for Mangione and discussed anti-capitalist vigilantism the night of the blaze
- The January 1 fire destroyed 7,000 structures, caused $150 billion in damages, and killed 12 people
What's Next
The trial continues in Los Angeles federal court. Rinderknecht faces multiple federal arson charges for allegedly igniting the wildfire that became one of the most destructive in California's history. Prosecutors are expected to present additional cellular data, video evidence, and witness testimony as the case proceeds.