On April 10, in the early morning, an individual approached the entrance of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco residence and threw a firebomb at the structure before escaping. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama, was apprehended under two hours later while reportedly trying to force entry into OpenAI’s offices, carrying a container of kerosene, a lighter, and a document criticizing artificial intelligence. Authorities at both federal and state levels in California have filed charges against Moreno-Gama, including attempted arson and attempted murder. This week, his parents released a statement indicating that their son had experienced a recent mental health episode. Moreno-Gama, who has not submitted a plea, could face a life sentence upon conviction. The incident targeting Altman and OpenAI occurs amid rising public unease about artificial intelligence, marking the most notable assault to date on an individual or entity in the field. Moreno-Gama had previously shared anti-AI views online, including a reference to ‘Luigi-ing some tech CEOs,’ alluding to Luigi Mangione, currently on trial for murdering UnitedHealthcare’s CEO. Last weekend, Altman responded to the event, a critical New Yorker article about him, and broader AI critiques in a blog entry. He urged calmer discussions on artificial intelligence and posted a family photo featuring his young daughter. ‘Images can influence people, I believe. We usually maintain our privacy, but here I’m sharing this in the hope it might prevent someone else from launching a firebomb at our home, regardless of their opinions about me,’ Altman wrote. Two days following the firebomb event, San Francisco police detained two individuals accused of discharging firearms from a vehicle near Altman’s home. The pair was released on Thursday without charges. The local district attorney’s office noted that an ongoing probe will decide on potential prosecutions, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. According to the federal complaint, Moreno-Gama traveled from his suburban Houston, Texas, home to San Francisco to execute the assault. Security footage from Altman’s property depicts the alleged attacker advancing up the driveway with a lit firebomb and hurling it at the house. The device rebounded off the structure without causing injuries, Altman noted in his blog, specifying the time as 3:45 a.m. After departing Altman’s residence, Moreno-Gama arrived at OpenAI’s offices about three miles away around 5 a.m. He allegedly tried to shatter the entry doors using a chair before security personnel intervened. Moreno-Gama then informed them of his intent to set the building ablaze and harm occupants, per the complaint. Upon arrival, police arrested him and reportedly discovered fire-starting materials, kerosene, and a manifesto denouncing AI while advocating violence against executives in the sector. The document featured three parts, the complaint detailed. The initial section, titled ‘Your Last Warning,’ pledged to eliminate various AI leaders, directors, and funders. The second addressed ‘our impending destruction’ and AI’s potential to eradicate humanity. The final part spoke directly to Altman, suggesting that surviving the attack should be viewed as a spiritual cue for redemption. Federal officials labeled the incident as heightened aggression toward major technology firms and pledged robust enforcement to curb destructive actions against the sector, affirming that ‘the FBI will not permit threats to our country’s innovation pioneers.’ ‘Should evidence indicate Mr. Moreno-Gama conducted these acts to influence policy or pressure officials, we will classify this as domestic terrorism,’ stated U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian. No dedicated federal law exists for domestic terrorism, and California lacks a comparable state statute. Diamond Ward, Moreno-Gama’s public defender, has challenged the authorities’ portrayal, noting his client’s background of autism, mental health issues, and absence of prior offenses. Ward claimed the actions stemmed from a mental health breakdown rather than intent to injure. ‘This matter is excessively charged. At most, it’s a property offense,’ Ward remarked. ‘It’s unjust for the San Francisco district attorney and federal government to sensationalize and take advantage of this young man’s fragility merely because prominent figures are involved.’ Moreno-Gama’s court appearance is scheduled for May 5, and he remains detained without bond until then.
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