Molotov cocktail thrown at home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, suspect in custody
Apr 10, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A Molotov cocktail was thrown at the San Francisco home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Friday morning, police and a spokesperson for the company confirmed to KRON4. No one was injured and the suspect was arrested.
"Early this morning, someone threw a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman
's home and also made threats at our San Francisco headquarters," an OpenAI spokesperson said. "Thankfully, no one was hurt."
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"We deeply appreciate how quickly SFPD responded and the support from the city in helping keep our employees safe," the spokesperson added. "The individual is in custody and we're assisting law enforcement with their investigation."
The San Francisco Police Department said officers responded at around 4:12 a.m. regarding a fire investigation. At the scene, officers learned that a man had thrown an incendiary device at a home, setting an exterior gate on fire.
FILE - Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, testifies before a Senate committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
The suspect, police said, then fled on foot. The suspect's description was broadcast to all officers.
A short while later, at 5:07 a.m., police responded to a business on the 1400 block of 3rd Street -- in the vicinity of OpenAI's SF headquarters -- regarding a man making threats about burning the building down. Officers arrived at the scene and recognized the man from the earlier incident and immediately detained him.
The suspect, described only as a 20-year-old man, was arrested. Charges are still pending.
The San Francisco Fire Department told KRON it received a call at 3:52 a.m. regarding an outside fire between Jones and Leavenworth streets. Fire crews arrived to find that the fire had gone out, but noticed evidence of an incendiary device.
Police and fire officials say an investigation into the attack is ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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