A 20-year-old suspect is in custody following an early-morning attack involving a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco residence of OpenAI CEO and co-founder Sam Altman.
In a statement, the San Francisco Police Department said the incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. when the unnamed individual allegedly threw an incendiary destructive device at Altman’s North Beach property.
As a result, a small fire ignited near an exterior gate and emergency responders were called to the scene. The fire was quickly contained and no injuries were reported.
Authorities say the male suspect immediately fled the scene on foot following the attack, prompting a citywide alert with his description.
About an hour later, officers responded to calls of an individual threatening to burn down a building and recognized the same suspect linked to the prior incident.
He was immediately detained but has not yet been publicly identified. Officials note charges are currently pending, as an investigation remains “open and active” at this time.
A spokesperson with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, confirmed subsequent threats were also made against the company’s headquarters, adding that no employees or nearby residences were harmed.
“We deeply appreciate how quickly SFPD responded and the support from the city in helping keep our employees safe,” OpenAI wrote in a the statement. “The individual is in custody, and we’re assisting law enforcement with their investigation.”
A motive for the incident remains unknown. The Epoch Times has reached out to the SFPD and OpenAI for further comment on the matter. In an email, the SFPD reiterated the ongoing investigation, while OpenAI did not respond by the time of publication.
