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Charges filed in Molotov cocktail attack on OpenAI CEO's residence
A 20-year-old Texas man is set to appear in court Tuesday to face state charges, including two counts of attempted murder, after allegedly hurling a homemade firebomb at the San Francisco home of OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman.
Timeline of the alleged attacks
Federal prosecutors allege Daniel Moreno-Gama ignited an exterior gate at Altman's residence around 4:00 a.m. local time Friday (12:00 BST) before escaping on foot. Approximately one hour later, he is accused of attempting to set fire to the glass doors of OpenAI's downtown headquarters using a chair as a battering ram.
Security footage cited in the criminal complaint shows Moreno-Gama at both locations. No injuries were reported.
Evidence and motives
Law enforcement recovered incendiary devices, a container of kerosene, and a lighter from Moreno-Gama, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Officers also found documents that reportedly criticize artificial intelligence and urge violent acts against AI executives and investors.
"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."
Excerpt from documents allegedly carried by Moreno-Gama
The papers included names and home addresses of board members, CEOs, and investors at multiple AI firms, along with a section titled "Some more words on the matter of our impending extinction."
Legal and political reactions
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche condemned the alleged violence, stating, "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."
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins echoed the sentiment at a Monday press conference, expressing relief that Altman, his family, and OpenAI employees emerged unharmed.
The FBI conducted a related raid in Texas earlier Monday, as confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel on social media platform X.
OpenAI and Altman respond
OpenAI issued a statement rejecting violence, declaring, "There is no place in our democracy for violence against anyone, regardless of the AI lab they work at or side of the debate they belong to." The company emphasized the need for democratic processes to shape AI's future and welcomed "good faith debate."
Altman initially linked the attack to a recent New Yorker profile that questioned his leadership and trustworthiness. After facing criticism, he later clarified on X that he regretted drawing the connection.
Broader context
Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, the AI sector has attracted unprecedented investment, sparking both enthusiasm and skepticism among observers. The incident at Altman's home underscores growing tensions surrounding the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
