Texas Man Charged in Targeted Attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Daniel Moreno-Gama allegedly hurled an incendiary device at Altman's San Francisco residence around 4 a.m. on Friday, April 10, sparking a fire on an exterior gate before fleeing on foot. Less than an hour later, the 20-year-old arrived at OpenAI's headquarters about 3 miles away, where he allegedly threatened to burn down the building while carrying kerosene in his backpack and attempting to strike the glass structure with a chair, according to court documents. No one was injured in either incident. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins charged Moreno-Gama with two counts of attempted murder and attempted arson, alleging he tried to kill both Altman and a security guard at the residence. The state charges carry potential sentences ranging from 19 years to life in prison. Jenkins disputed her public defender's characterization of the case as overcharged, emphasizing evidence of a "targeted attack" on the CEO. Surveillance footage captured Moreno-Gama outside Altman's home, and federal prosecutors discovered a document in which he allegedly expressed anti-AI-executive sentiments. Federal authorities have compounded the charges, filing counts of possession of an unregistered firearm and damage and destruction of property by means of explosives—each carrying up to 10 and 20 years in prison respectively. U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian announced the federal charges Monday, stating authorities "will treat this as an act of domestic terrorism, and together with our partners, prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law." The FBI conducted a search at Moreno-Gama's home in a Houston suburb on Monday morning. At his Tuesday court appearance, Moreno-Gama's public defender, Diamond Ward, argued he was experiencing a mental health crisis and claimed prosecutors pursued heightened charges to curry favor with Altman. A judge ordered him held without bail, with his arraignment scheduled for May 5. The incident compounds security concerns for Altman, as two additional individuals were arrested Sunday for allegedly firing shots at his residence in a separate attack.