Police in Culver City arrested 33-year-old Joseph Mayuyo after he allegedly sent threatening messages to TikTok’s headquarters, leading to an emergency evacuation of the office. According to a press release from the Culver City Police Department, TikTok employees reported receiving multiple online threats from Mayuyo, a resident of Hawthorne. The situation intensified when Mayuyo sent an additional message directly threatening the company’s headquarters, prompting security to evacuate the building as a precautionary measure. Law enforcement conducted an investigation of Mayuyo’s residence, where he allegedly posted more threatening statements, including a message declaring that he would not be taken alive. Detectives secured search and arrest warrants and negotiated with Mayuyo for 90 minutes before he voluntarily surrendered and was taken into custody.
Business Insider reports that some TikTok employees found the threats particularly alarming, with one describing the situation as ‘really scary.’ Another employee expressed concern that the threats seemed to specifically target TikTok’s e-commerce department. Mayuyo’s X account has been suspended for violating the platform’s policies against hate speech and harassment. A Medium account under his name previously published a post in July criticizing TikTokShop USA as a ‘scam,’ raising questions about his motivations and potential ties to broader disputes over the company’s business practices.
The incident has sparked discussions about online safety and the role of social media platforms in managing threats against companies. While no financial impact has been immediately reported, the event highlights the growing risk of cyber threats against major tech firms and the need for robust security measures. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether Mayuyo has a history of similar threats or if there are any deeper connections to the company’s operations. In the meantime, TikTok continues to operate its Culver City headquarters, though the incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities of large tech companies to external threats.