San Francisco Police arrested a person early Friday morning for allegedly attacking OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home and making threats outside the company’s headquarters, a spokesperson confirmed to WIRED. On Friday, OpenAI’s corporate security team sent a memo to employees regarding the incident.
“At approximately 3:45 a.m. ET, an unidentified person approached Sam’s home and threw an incendiary device towards the property. The device landed nearby and extinguished. There were no injuries and only minimal damage reported,” reads the message to staff.
“Shortly thereafter, MB1 security contacted an individual matching the suspect’s description,” the message continues, referring to OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood. “This individual made threatening statements about the building.”
OpenAI’s corporate security team told employees it is cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation and that employees may notice an increased police and security presence in the office on Friday. The security team said the company’s offices remain open but employees have been instructed “not to allow anyone through the rear entrance of the building.”
“Early this morning, someone threw a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman’s house and also threatened our San Francisco headquarters. Fortunately, no one was injured,” OpenAI spokeswoman Kayla Wood said in an email to WIRED. “We are deeply grateful for SFPD’s quick response and the city’s support in ensuring the safety of our employees. The individual is in custody and we are assisting law enforcement with their investigation.”
The San Francisco Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is the latest incident that has resulted in intimidation of OpenAI’s office and staff. Last November, OpenAI closed its San Francisco office following alleged threats from an activist. In February 2025, there were protesters arrested for locking the front door to the OpenAI office.