A Tesla spokesperson told CNBC that Martin Tripp, an ex-employee who the company is suing for alleged data theft and hacking, may have threatened to attack the company’s Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada.
The spokesperson said:
“Yesterday afternoon, we received a phone call from a friend of Mr. Tripp telling us that Mr. Tripp would be coming to the Gigafactory to ‘shoot the place up.’ Police have been notified and actions are being taken to enhance security at the Gigafactory.”
In separate interviews with CNN and the Washington Post, Tripp claimed whistleblower status.
CNBC has reached out to the Storey County sherrif’s office in Nevada, where the Gigafactory is located, to try and confirm the increased security and alleged threat. They could not immediately comment on the situation.
Attempts to reach Tripp for comment were not successful.
This story is still developing…
