Man tried to throw Molotov cocktail at county GOP office in Michigan's U.P., police say

Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Jul 14, 2025

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A 19-year-old man attempted to throw a Molotov cocktail at the headquarters of the Dickinson County Republican Committee on Saturday but the device didn't ignite, according to Iron Mountain police.

The police agency in the Upper Peninsula confirmed the incident in a statement Monday after the Dickinson County Republican Committee issued a press release saying its headquarters had been "attacked" over the weekend.

"Two Molotov cocktails were ignited and thrown at the building which houses multiple businesses, including the GOP headquarters," the release from the local GOP committee said. "Authorities reported that the attack was due to displeasure with the current administration. "

"The attack was unsuccessful due to incompetence of the suspect and no significant damage was done."

Dickinson County has a population of about 26,000 and is located in the central U.P. along the Wisconsin border.

At about 3:55 p.m. Saturday, the Iron Mountain Police Department received a report that someone was "attempting to light a rag sticking out of a glass bottle" and attempting to throw the bottle at the Republican headquarters, said a statement from Jeff Solka, director of police and fire services for Iron Mountain.

Officers then reviewed surveillance camera footage and were able to see video of the person trying to light the rag, Solka said.

"The subject did not get the rag to light and threw the bottle at the window, causing the bottle to shatter," Solka said. "A second broken glass bottle was located in the parking lot.

"This bottle contained an unknown liquid and had a rag sticking out of the top," Solka added.

Officers identified the suspect and located him. He admitted to throwing a bottle at the building in hopes that it "would ignite," Solka said. The individual wanted to send a message "against the corruption," Solka's statement said.

The 19-year-old man from Iron Mountain is being charged with two felonies: arson and manufacturing a Molotov cocktail.

Iron Mountain police didn't immediately release the individual's name but said he had been booked into the Dickinson County Jail.

However, the sheriff department's records showed a 19-year-old named Zayn Edward Arcand was housed in the jail on Monday, facing charges of arson and using an incendiary device.

Angela Hall, chairwoman of the Dickinson County Republican Party, said Arcand was the suspect.

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