Texas Man Charged with Attempted Murder of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Alleged firebombing attack exposes tensions over rapid AI development

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:22am by

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An extreme close-up photograph of a partially melted and charred Molotov cocktail bottle, conceptually illustrating the violent attack on the AI company CEO's home.The firebombing attack on an AI CEO's home exposes the risks and tensions surrounding the rapid rise of powerful technologies.San Francisco Today

A 20-year-old Texas man named Daniel Moreno-Gama has been charged with attempted murder, arson, and other crimes for allegedly firebombing the San Francisco home of Sam Altman, the CEO of the artificial intelligence company OpenAI. Moreno-Gama was arrested on April 10 after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at Altman's house and attempting to break into and burn down OpenAI's headquarters.

Why it matters

The attack on Altman's home and OpenAI's offices highlights growing tensions and concerns over the rapid development of powerful AI technologies like ChatGPT, which was created by OpenAI. The incident raises questions about the potential risks and backlash that prominent AI leaders and companies may face as AI becomes more ubiquitous and influential in society.

The details

According to court documents, Moreno-Gama was found with a three-part 'Anti-AI document' in his backpack that listed the names and addresses of AI company leaders, including a letter addressed to Altman that warned 'If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself.' The FBI later raided Moreno-Gama's Texas home under a search warrant to seize evidence related to the case. Prosecutors have charged Moreno-Gama with a range of state and federal crimes, including attempted murder, arson, and possession of destructive devices.

  • On April 7, the San Francisco Police Department received a report of a person throwing an 'incendiary destructive device' at Altman's home, causing a fire.
  • On April 10, Moreno-Gama was arrested by SFPD after allegedly approaching OpenAI's headquarters with a backpack containing incendiary devices, a lighter, and kerosene.
  • On April 13, Moreno-Gama was charged by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California.
  • Moreno-Gama's arraignment has been delayed, and he will be held without bail until his next court appearance on May 5.

The players

Daniel Moreno-Gama

A 20-year-old Texas man accused of firebombing Sam Altman's home and attempting to attack OpenAI's headquarters.

Sam Altman

The CEO of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research lab that created ChatGPT, and the alleged target of the attack.

Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney who filed state charges against Moreno-Gama.

Todd Blanche

The acting U.S. Attorney General who said the alleged actions 'will be aggressively prosecuted.'

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What they’re saying

“Violence cannot be the norm for expressing disagreement, be it with politics or a technology or any other matter. These alleged actions — which damaged property and could well have taken lives — will be aggressively prosecuted.”

— Todd Blanche, Acting U.S. Attorney General

What’s next

Moreno-Gama's arraignment has been delayed, and he will be held without bail until his next court appearance on May 5, where a judge will decide whether to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This attack highlights the growing tensions and concerns surrounding the rapid development of powerful AI technologies, and the potential risks and backlash that prominent AI leaders and companies may face as AI becomes more influential in society.