SAN FRANCISCO, California – A Waymo autonomous vehicle was targeted by a group of individuals and set on fire in Chinatown on Saturday night, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. The incident took place on Jackson Street, between Stockton and Grant, around 9:25 p.m. when approximately 10 to 15 individuals surrounded the vehicle.
Videos shared on social media depicted the group vandalizing the self-driving car, with one video showing the vehicle engulfed in flames. A Waymo spokesperson reported that the group surrounded the car, broke the windows, and set off a firework inside the vehicle.
Fortunately, the autonomous vehicle was not carrying any passengers at the time of the attack, and no injuries were reported. NBC Bay Area has contacted the San Francisco Police Department for further details on the incident.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as new information emerges.