Texas Man Charged in Molotov Cocktail Attack on OpenAI CEO's Home

Suspect arrested after attempting to set fire to AI firm's headquarters

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:07pm by

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An extreme close-up of a charred, melted Molotov cocktail bottle, capturing the gritty, investigative nature of the crime without depicting actual violence or victims.The remains of an incendiary device used in an attack on the home of an AI company CEO expose the escalating tensions between the public and the tech industry.San Francisco Today

A 20-year-old Texas man named Daniel Moreno-Gama has been charged with hurling a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and attempting to set fire to the AI company's headquarters. Moreno-Gama was captured on surveillance video and was found carrying a self-authored 'anti-AI' document containing threats against Altman.

Why it matters

The attack on Altman's home and OpenAI's offices highlights growing concerns over the role of artificial intelligence technology in national security and the potential for extremist backlash against prominent AI leaders and companies. Authorities are treating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism.

The details

According to the FBI affidavit, Moreno-Gama traveled from Texas to California before carrying out the attacks. Police recovered multiple incendiary devices, kerosene, and a lighter at the time of his arrest. Moreno-Gama also told security personnel at OpenAI's headquarters that he intended to burn the building and harm the people inside.

  • The attacks occurred on April 13, 2026.

The players

Daniel Moreno-Gama

A 20-year-old Texas man charged with hurling a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and attempting to set fire to the AI firm's headquarters.

Sam Altman

The CEO of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence company that is facing growing scrutiny for its role in national security and a proposed deal with the U.S. government to allow its technology to be used in classified military operations.

Craig Missakian

The U.S. Attorney who stated that if the evidence shows Moreno-Gama executed these attacks to change public policy or coerce government officials, the incident will be treated as an act of domestic terrorism.

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What they’re saying

“We are only at the beginning of this investigation, but if the evidence shows that Mr. Moreno-Gama executed these attacks to change public policy or to coerce government and other officials, we will treat this as an act of domestic terrorism and together with our law enforcement partners prosecute him to the fullest extent allowed by law.”

— Craig Missakian, U.S. Attorney

What’s next

Moreno-Gama is charged with attempted damage and destruction of property by means of explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison on the explosives charge, and up to 10 years in prison on the unregistered firearm charge.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing tensions surrounding the role of artificial intelligence technology in national security and the potential for extremist backlash against prominent AI leaders and companies. Authorities are taking the threat seriously and will pursue domestic terrorism charges if the evidence supports it.