The Uber driver accused of “maliciously” sparking the deadly Palisades Fire repeatedly watched a French rap video that features the artist setting multiple fires as he talks about “despair and bitterness,” according to feds.
French-born Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, went to YouTube to listen to the French rap song “Un Zder, Un The,” by the artist Josman, just before midnight on Dec. 31 — minutes before he allegedly sparked a blaze in a popular grassy hangout near the Pacific Palisades, prosecutors alleged.
That fire was knocked down by firefighters, but continued to smolder — unnoticed — until it was ignited again and whipped into a deadly inferno by high winds on Jan. 7, federal authorities believe.
“The music video for the song shows the main character (Josman) lighting things on fire,” the court documents said.
Palisades firebug Jonathan Rinderknecht reportedly listened to a disturbing French rap song repeatedly before allegedly setting the “malicious” fire in California. via REUTERS
The music video for the song “Un Zder, Un The” by Josman features the French artist lighting things on fire. Rinderknecht watched the video four times before setting what would become the Palisades Fire. Youtube/Josman
Rinderknecht is accused of setting a brushfire on Jan. 1 that was put out, but started again and ignited the raging Palisades inferno, which left 12 people dead and caused about $150 billion in damages. AFP via Getty ImagesAn English translation of the song’s lyrics reveals the theme is “despair and bitterness,” according to the complaint.
Lyrics from the song include, “Daily life is killing me,” “I feel like I’m nowhere,” and “too much bitterness in my head, I think about the mistakes we made.”
“Google records indicate that Rinderknecht had listened to the same song nine times in the previous four days,” it states. He watched the corresponding fiery music video four times.
AI images generated by Rinderknecht on ChatGPT showing a city on fire. US Attorney's OfficeIn the video from December 2018, Josman is seen smoking a blunt in his kitchen, which then sparks a blaze throughout the apartment.
At another point in the video, Josman is seen lighting a burning barrel outside a housing project, which becomes a huge inferno.
He is also seen walking with a handful of blazing banknotes in his hand.
Alleged arsonist Rinderknecht also made disturbing ChatGPT prompts, requesting “A dystopian painting divided into distinct parts that blend together seamlessly.
On the far left, there is a burning forest. Next to it, a crowd of people is running away from the fire, leading to the middle,” the complaint said.
