Arson cases at UC Berkeley – NBC Bay Area

An Oakland man has been arrested in connection with several arson attacks on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley.

Casey Robert Goonan, 34, was arrested Monday in connection with a firebombing of a police vehicle and three other arson attacks on campus in June, Cal Fire said.

Pro-Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for the three arsons, describing them as an act of protest and retaliation.

The most recent arson occurred on Sunday afternoon when a small fire was set at the Dwinelle Annex construction site.

Last week, another arson attack was reported outside Koshland Hall. In this case, a group called Student Intifada claimed responsibility.

In an online post, the group claims it retaliated with a firebomb after protesting UCLA students were allegedly attacked by police.

The group threatens further action if the university does not withdraw its investments in Israel.

The same group also claimed responsibility for setting fire to a police cruiser earlier this month. Images appearing to show a burned-out cruiser were also posted online. The group claims the act was again in retaliation for police crackdowns on protesters on other campuses.

The university did not comment on the arson attacks, saying only that Cal Fire and the University of California police are investigating.

“…the safety of the campus community remains the department’s top priority, as always, and therefore the department will not hesitate to change staffing levels and/or safety protocols as needed,” a UC Berkeley spokesperson said.

The university said no one was injured and no damage was caused to the buildings affected by the arson.

Cal Fire, UC Berkeley Police, ATF and the FBI worked together to identify and arrest Goonan as a suspect.

Goonan, who is accused of several serious crimes, is being held in the Alameda County Jail on $1 million bail.