A man has been formally accused of trying to kill OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and a security guard by throwing a Molotov cocktail at Altman’s residence, as stated by San Francisco district attorney Brooke Jenkins on Monday. Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, allegedly threw the incendiary device at Altman’s home in the early hours of Friday, setting an exterior gate on fire before leaving the scene. Shortly after, he reportedly went to OpenAI’s headquarters nearby and made threats to set the building ablaze.
Moreno-Gama, who is known for his opposition to artificial intelligence, has expressed concerns about AI’s perceived dangers to humanity in his writings. The FBI referred to the incident as a premeditated and targeted act during a press briefing.
Facing charges in both state and federal courts, Moreno-Gama is accused of two counts of attempted murder and attempted arson in California. The penalties for the state charges range from 19 years to life imprisonment. Additionally, federal prosecutors have charged him with possession of an unregistered firearm and property damage using explosives, carrying penalties of up to 10 and 20 years in prison, respectively.
Searches at Moreno-Gama’s residence in Spring, Texas, led to the recovery of incendiary devices and related materials. He is currently in custody at the San Francisco County Jail on state charges and is expected to appear in court soon.
Altman and OpenAI have confirmed that they were the intended targets of the attack, which authorities believe was planned and executed by Moreno-Gama. No injuries were reported in the incident. Surveillance footage and a document found on Moreno-Gama indicated his anti-AI sentiments and threats against AI executives.
Law enforcement agencies are treating the incident as a case of domestic terrorism and are determined to prosecute Moreno-Gama to the fullest extent of the law. Various advocacy groups have condemned the violence, emphasizing that such actions have no place in discussions about AI’s future. Altman, in response to the attack, urged for a de-escalation of tensions and a more constructive dialogue on AI-related concerns.