A 20-year-old man from Spring, Texas, faces attempted murder charges following an alleged Molotov cocktail attack on the San Francisco home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Federal prosecutors charged Daniel Moreno-Gemma with the April 10 attack on Altman's residence. Security footage from the property shows a man approaching the driveway gates at approximately 03:37 before launching an incendiary device and fleeing.
The criminal complaint alleges Moreno-Gama also targeted two neighboring properties owned by Altman.
Planned attack on OpenAI headquarters
Authorities say the suspect traveled from Texas to San Francisco to target both Altman's home and the OpenAI headquarters in Mission Bay. At approximately 05:00, Moreno-Gama allegedly attempted to break a glass door at the company's office using a chair.
Building security staff told investigators the suspect stated he intended to burn the building and kill everyone inside. San Francisco Police Department officers found kerosene, a lighter, and various incendiary supplies when they apprehended the man.
Police also recovered a three-part document written by Moreno-Gama containing the personal details of AI executives and investors. The document advocated for violence against industry leaders and included a section titled "Your Last Warning."
In that section, Moreno-Gama explicitly identified himself and stated his intent to kill Altman. "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," the document reads.
The document also included a section titled "Some more words on the matter of our impending extinction," which detailed the author's views on AI risks. A final letter, addressed to Altman, urged the CEO to rethink his career if he survived the attack.
U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian stated that federal authorities will prosecute the case to the fullest extent. "We will not tolerate any attempt to change the way Americans live and work through fear or violence," Missakian said.
Prosecutors noted that if evidence shows the attacks were intended to coerce government officials or change public policy, the government will treat the case as domestic terrorism. Attempted murder carries a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.
