A public defender stated that the individual accused of attempting to harm OpenAI CEO Sam Altman by throwing a Molotov cocktail at his San Francisco residence was undergoing a mental health crisis and is facing excessive charges from prosecutors. Daniel Moreno-Gama, a 20-year-old from Spring, Texas, allegedly threw the incendiary device at Altman’s home, causing damage to the property before making threats at OpenAI’s headquarters nearby. San Francisco authorities have charged Moreno-Gama with attempted murder and other felonies in connection to the incident.
The defense attorney argued that the charges against Moreno-Gama are inflated, emphasizing that the case should be considered a property crime rather than a life-threatening offense. However, the San Francisco District Attorney defended the charges, stating that Moreno-Gama specifically targeted Altman and that the prosecution is justified. The accused’s parents expressed concern for his well-being, mentioning his recent struggles with mental health.
Authorities revealed that Moreno-Gama, who holds a part-time job at a pizzeria and attends community college, expressed disdain for artificial intelligence in his writings, citing it as a danger to humanity. The FBI described the attack as premeditated and serious, with Moreno-Gama facing state and federal charges, including attempted murder and possession of an unregistered firearm.
Following a search of Moreno-Gama’s home in Texas, federal prosecutors are treating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism and intend to pursue the case rigorously. The accused has not yet appeared in federal court, and the documents suggest that he made threats against Altman and other AI company executives. Despite the advocacy against AI-related risks, various groups have condemned the violence associated with the case.