A molotov cocktail was thrown at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home early Friday, setting an exterior gate on fire before the suspect fled, police said. A 20-year-old man was later arrested after officers connected him to a separate threat at a business in another part of the city. No one was hurt, and OpenAI said it is helping with the investigation.
Fire call at Altman home
Police said officers went to Altman’s home shortly after 4 a. m. ET on Friday for a fire investigation after someone threw an incendiary device at the property. The device ignited the exterior gate, then the suspect ran from the scene.
Less than an hour later, police were called to a business in a different part of town where a man had reportedly threatened to burn down the building. Officers recognized the man as the same suspect and detained him, the police department said in a social media post. Police have not publicly identified him, and charges had not yet been filed.
OpenAI says threats also targeted headquarters
OpenAI confirmed that the home belongs to Altman and said the threats were also made at the company’s headquarters. from an OpenAI spokesperson,, “Early this morning, someone threw a molotov cocktail at Sam Altman’s home and also made threats at our San Francisco headquarters. Thankfully, no one was hurt. We deeply appreciate how quickly SFPD responded and the support from the city in helping keep our employees safe. The individual is in custody, and we’re assisting law enforcement with their investigation. ”
The company, which created ChatGPT, said no one was injured in the incident. Police said they did not immediately release additional details about the investigation.
What police have said so far
The arrest came after officers linked the suspect to both the home incident and the later threat at the business. The police department said the man was detained after being recognized during the second call. The case remains open, and officials have not said what led to the threats or what charges may follow.
The molotov cocktail attack adds urgency to an already active investigation because it involved both a private home and a company location tied to one of the most closely watched technology executives in the country.
Quick context
OpenAI said the home is in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood. The company also said the headquarters threats were part of the same sequence of events.
For now, the focus remains on the suspect in custody, the fire investigation, and whether prosecutors will file charges in the molotov cocktail case.
