A man has been accused of attempting to kill OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and a security guard at Altman’s home by throwing a Molotov cocktail, as announced by San Francisco district attorney Brooke Jenkins on Monday. The suspect, identified as Daniel Moreno-Gama, allegedly threw the incendiary device at Altman’s home in the early hours of Friday, setting an exterior gate on fire before fleeing the scene. Shortly after the incident, Moreno-Gama reportedly went to OpenAI’s headquarters a few kilometers away and made threats to set the building on fire.
Court documents reveal that Moreno-Gama has expressed strong opposition to artificial intelligence (AI), citing concerns about its potential risks to humanity. Describing the attack as planned and serious, FBI San Francisco acting special agent in charge, Matt Cobo, emphasized the deliberate nature of the crime during a news conference.
Facing state and federal charges, Moreno-Gama is accused of two counts of attempted murder and attempted arson in California state court. The state charges carry severe penalties ranging from 19 years to life imprisonment. Additionally, federal prosecutors have charged him with possession of an unregistered firearm and damage to property by explosives, with potential prison terms of up to 10 and 20 years, respectively.
Following the arrest of Moreno-Gama at his residence in Spring, Texas, FBI agents recovered incendiary devices, a jug of kerosene, a blue lighter, and a document from his possession. The suspect remains in custody in San Francisco County Jail on state charges and is expected to appear in court soon.
Altman and OpenAI have confirmed being the targets of the attack, with authorities alleging that Moreno-Gama traveled from Texas to San Francisco to carry out the assault. The incident has raised concerns about the implications of targeting technology companies on economic security and public safety, according to law enforcement officials.
In response to the incident, advocacy groups cautioning against the risks of AI have condemned the violence. While Altman acknowledged justified concerns about AI, he called for de-escalation of rhetoric and tactics to avoid further violent incidents.