Waymo shuts down LA operations for the weekend, cites ‘local events’

Following a week of unrest in Los Angeles that has seen plenty of violence, one company is suspending its operations in the area.

Waymo, a company owned by Google that seeks to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths with its self-driving automobiles, was forced to shut down its service in downtown Los Angeles after its vehicles were targeted by vandals and arsonists.

One might wonder why self-driving vehicles should be punished for the perceived misdeeds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other immigration authorities, but the most likely answer is that those involved in protests simply thrive on chaos.

A screenshot was posted to X, where it was promptly shared by Elon Musk:

Service paused for “local events” lmao https://t.co/nt1tZFwOWh

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 14, 2025

A statement from the company notes that the cars may not have been intentionally targeted, but were simply collateral damage.

“We do not believe our vehicles were intentionally targeted, but rather happened to be present during the protests,”a spokesperson for the company said.

The vehicles are still operating in other, less violent areas of the city.

“In addition to setting Waymo cars on fire, protestors also damaged and looted several businesses on Sunday including Jordan Studio 23, a sporting goods store in downtown L.A., as well as a T-Mobile and an Adidas store, according to CBS Los Angeles,” a report by CBS News reads.

X users weren’t exactly surprised by this turn of events:

They should have said “loco events.”

— JKash MAGA Queen (@JKash000) June 14, 2025

pic.twitter.com/oSvN4XVbxE

— God & Country (@GodandCountryy) June 14, 2025

pic.twitter.com/TcGe3eZn3s

— Skscartoon (@skscartoon) June 14, 2025

Service paused for mostly peaceful and nonviolent car burning event

— ivermec Tim (@vulture5555) June 14, 2025

This local event pic.twitter.com/TKoCUDnKFr

— Woke Hunter (@wokehunter47) June 14, 2025

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

Latest posts by Sierra Marlee (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.