Man Charged With Attempted Murder in Attack on OpenAI CEO's Home

Daniel Moreno-Gama accused of throwing Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman's San Francisco residence

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:15am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a partially melted glass bottle, its surface textured and distorted by the intense heat, conceptually representing the aftermath of a failed attack on an AI company executive's home.A charred Molotov cocktail remnant serves as a grim reminder of the escalating tensions surrounding AI technology and the risks of extremist opposition.Houston Today

A Texas man has been charged with attempted murder and attempted arson after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Daniel Moreno-Gama, who also faces federal charges, was arrested on Friday and is accused of planning the targeted attack due to his opposition to artificial intelligence.

Why it matters

The attack on Altman's home highlights growing concerns about extremist views and potential violence targeting tech leaders and companies working on advanced AI systems. Authorities are treating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism, raising questions about the risks posed by those who see AI as a threat to humanity.

The details

According to court documents, Moreno-Gama traveled from his home in Spring, Texas to San Francisco and visited Altman's residence early Friday morning. He was found with a document expressing his opposition to AI and the 'impending extinction' of humanity. Authorities allege Moreno-Gama intended to kill Altman and a security guard in the attack, which caused no injuries.

  • On Friday morning, Moreno-Gama allegedly visited Altman's San Francisco home and threw a Molotov cocktail.
  • Moreno-Gama was arrested on Friday by the FBI at his home in Spring, Texas.

The players

Daniel Moreno-Gama

A Texas resident who has been charged with attempted murder and attempted arson for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Sam Altman

The CEO of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research company, who was the alleged target of the attack on his San Francisco home.

Brooke Jenkins

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

Matt Cobo

The FBI San Francisco Acting Special Agent in Charge who spoke at a press conference about the case.

Craig Missakian

The U.S. Attorney who stated the attack could be prosecuted as an act of domestic terrorism.

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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

“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

Authorities will continue investigating the attack and whether it should be prosecuted as an act of domestic terrorism. The judge will also decide whether to grant bail for Moreno-Gama.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing risks and tensions surrounding the development of advanced AI systems, with some individuals resorting to extremist views and potential violence in an attempt to influence the technology's future. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement, tech companies, and the public to address these emerging threats.