Texas Man Charged in Molotov Attack on OpenAI CEO Altman

Daniel Moreno-Gama, a 20-year-old from Texas, has been charged with multiple state and federal crimes after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's San Francisco residence early Friday morning. Authorities allege that within an hour of this attack, Moreno-Gama attempted to set fire to OpenAI's headquarters in downtown San Francisco.

The suspect was arrested shortly after the second incident and found to be carrying a document expressing opposition to artificial intelligence (AI) development and threats against Altman and other AI executives. According to federal prosecutors, this document included statements about humanity's 'impending extinction' due to AI and expressed intent to kill Altman.

Moreno-Gama faces two counts of attempted murder in state court for allegedly targeting both Altman and a security guard at the CEO's residence. State charges also include arson, explosives-related offenses, and criminal threats related to the OpenAI headquarters incident. Federal charges include possession of an unregistered firearm and damage to property using explosives.

Investigators allege that Moreno-Gama traveled from Texas to California specifically to carry out these attacks. Surveillance footage shows him throwing the Molotov cocktail at Altman's home, setting a gate on fire before fleeing. At OpenAI headquarters, he reportedly used a chair to attempt breaking glass doors and threatened security personnel with intentions to 'burn it down and kill anyone inside.' Authorities recovered incendiary devices, kerosene, and a lighter from Moreno-Gama.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins characterized the attack as 'willful, deliberate, and premeditated,' stating authorities view it as an attempt on Altman's life. FBI officials described the incident as planned rather than spontaneous. The Justice Department has indicated that if evidence shows these attacks were intended to influence public policy or coerce officials, they will be treated as domestic terrorism.

If convicted, Moreno-Gama faces between five and 20 years' imprisonment for possession of an unregistered firearm and up to 10 years for attempted damage by explosives. The Molotov cocktail was thrown at Altman's residence at approximately 3:37 a.m., with surveillance footage capturing the incident.

Altman addressed the attack in a blog post, sharing a photo of his family and calling for de-escalation of rhetoric surrounding AI development. Federal authorities raided Moreno-Gama's home in Texas on Monday, recovering additional evidence related to the attacks. The document found on Moreno-Gama allegedly included a list of other AI executives and investors with their names and addresses.

Moreno-Gama made his first court appearance Tuesday wearing an orange jail uniform. His public defender claimed he was experiencing an 'acute mental health crisis' at the time of the alleged attack, suggesting prosecutors were overcharging him to gain favor for Altman's high-profile status. The defendant kept his gaze down during the brief hearing and softly answered 'yes' when asked by a judge whether he agreed to continue his arraignment.

San Francisco Judge Kenneth Wine ordered Moreno-Gama held without bail and set his arraignment for May 5. Prosecutors maintain that the charges are appropriate given the seriousness of the alleged crimes, which they say were planned and targeted rather than spontaneous acts of vandalism.