OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home in San Francisco was attacked with a Molotov cocktail in the early hours of 10 April, marking the most prominent act of violence against an AI-related figure amid growing discontent over the technology. The suspect, 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama, was arrested less than two hours later while allegedly attempting to break into OpenAI's headquarters with kerosene, a lighter and an anti-AI manifesto.
Federal and California authorities have charged Moreno-Gama with attempted arson and attempted murder. According to a federal complaint, he travelled from his home in a Houston suburb to carry out the attack. Surveillance images show him throwing the firebomb at Altman's home at 3.45am; it bounced off the building and no one was harmed. He later appeared at OpenAI's offices around 5am, allegedly trying to smash the entrance doors with a chair before being confronted by security.
Moreno-Gama's manifesto, found by police, contained three sections: a vow to kill AI CEOs, board members and investors; a warning about AI wiping out humanity; and a direct message to Altman urging him to redeem himself. The suspect had a history of posting anti-AI sentiment online, including a reference to “Luigi-ing some tech CEOs” in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive.
Two days after the Molotov cocktail incident, San Francisco police arrested two people for allegedly firing shots from a car outside Altman's home. They were released without charges pending further investigation. Altman addressed both incidents in a blogpost, sharing a photo of his family and calling for de-escalation in the AI debate. “Images have power, I hope,” he wrote, urging others not to attack him regardless of their views.
US attorney Craig Missakian stated that if evidence shows the attack was intended to change public policy or coerce officials, it will be treated as domestic terrorism. However, there is no specific federal domestic terrorism statute, and California lacks a state law on the matter. Moreno-Gama's public defender, Diamond Ward, has criticised the description of the attack, while the suspect faces up to life in prison if convicted.
