'Genderfluid' Michigan teen charged with attempted arson of Republican lawmaker's office

A 19-year-old Michigan man has been charged after allegedly attempting to burn down a building housing the Dickinson County Republican Committee’s office with a Molotov cocktail.

Zayn Arcand was arraigned Monday afternoon via Zoom on charges of arson and manufacturing and possessing explosives. The attempted attack occurred Saturday in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

According to police, officers were alerted to a suspicious individual outside the building trying to ignite a rag sticking out of a bottle. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Arcand throwing an unlit bottle at the structure. He was arrested at his home later that day.

The Iron Mountain Police Department said in a statement that Arcand admitted to making the explosive devices in his driveway and claimed he threw the bottle to “send a message against the corruption.”

Video of what appears to be Arcand circulated on social media in which he claimed to identify as "genderfluid," and "ambiamorous."

Ray and Barb Broullire, who own the building, told WLUC they believed the attack was politically motivated and expressed relief that no one was injured.

“We were very concerned,” Ray said. “Not to mention there’s people in this building. It was a Saturday, thank goodness. You know, that was a big plus. But yeah, when something like that happens, you just kind of expect the worst. We’re glad it worked out the way it did.”

Dickinson County Republican Committee Chair Angela Hall said the group would continue its work from the building despite the incident.

“I think the point was to intimidate us into acting a certain way, which is a very serious thing,” Hall said. “I think we will just keep doing what we do. We are not violent people; we don’t condone any violence.”

During his arraignment, Arcand gave only yes or no answers to the judge. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August.