Man accused of Molotov cocktail attack on OpenAI CEO's home charged with attempted murder

Authorities say 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama traveled from Texas to San Francisco to target OpenAI CEO Sam Altman over concerns about AI's risks.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:09am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the vandalism of self-driving cars.A violent attack on a prominent AI executive's home exposes the growing tensions over the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology.Houston Today

A 20-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder and other crimes after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in San Francisco. Authorities say Daniel Moreno-Gama traveled from Texas to the Bay Area with the intent to kill Altman and burn down OpenAI's headquarters due to his opposition to artificial intelligence and its perceived risks to humanity.

Why it matters

The attack highlights growing concerns and tensions around the rapid development of AI technology, with some individuals taking extreme measures to express their opposition. It raises questions about the potential for violence and domestic terrorism targeting tech leaders and companies at the forefront of AI innovation.

The details

According to authorities, Moreno-Gama threw the incendiary device at Altman's home around 4 a.m. on Friday, setting an exterior gate on fire before fleeing. Less than an hour later, he allegedly went to OpenAI's headquarters and threatened to burn down the building. Moreno-Gama faces state charges of attempted murder and attempted arson, as well as federal charges of possession of an unregistered firearm and damage and destruction of property by means of explosives.

  • On April 14, 2026, Moreno-Gama allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at Altman's home around 4 a.m.
  • Less than an hour later, Moreno-Gama allegedly went to OpenAI's headquarters and threatened to burn down the building.

The players

Daniel Moreno-Gama

A 20-year-old man from Texas who is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home and threatening to burn down OpenAI's headquarters due to his opposition to artificial intelligence.

Sam Altman

The CEO of OpenAI, a prominent artificial intelligence company that has developed advanced AI models like ChatGPT.

Matt Cobo

The FBI San Francisco Acting Special Agent in Charge who stated that the attack on Altman's home was "not spontaneous" and was "planned, targeted and extremely serious."

Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney who announced the state charges against Moreno-Gama, including two counts of attempted murder and attempted arson.

Craig Missakian

The U.S. Attorney who said authorities will treat the attack as an act of domestic terrorism and prosecute Moreno-Gama to the fullest extent of the law.

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What they’re saying

“This was not spontaneous. This was planned, targeted and extremely serious.”

— Matt Cobo, FBI San Francisco Acting Special Agent in Charge

“Also if I am going to advocate for others to kill and commit crimes, then I must lead by example and show that I am fully sincere in my message.”

— Daniel Moreno-Gama

“Violence and intimidation of any kind have no place in the conversation about the future of AI.”

— Anthony Aguirre, President and CEO of the Future of Life Institute

What’s next

Moreno-Gama is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, April 16, 2026, where a judge will decide whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This attack highlights the growing tensions and concerns around the rapid development of artificial intelligence, with some individuals resorting to extreme measures to express their opposition. It underscores the need for constructive dialogue and a balanced approach to addressing the potential risks and benefits of AI technology.