The man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home last week had a chilling ambition: to kill one of AI’s most powerful figures and warn the world that AI itself will get the job done. Prosecutors say the attack was not impulsive — it was planned, targeted.
An attempted murder charge was brought after a Molotov cocktail attack on Sam Altman’s home
The San Francisco District Attorney announced Monday that Daniel Moreno-Gama faces charges of attempted murder after the pre-dawn attack on Altman’s home last Friday. Federal prosecutors added additional charges, including attempted damage and destruction of property with explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm, according to the Justice Department.
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The attack occurred at approximately 3:37 a.m. Friday, when Moreno-Gama threw a lit Molotov cocktail-style incendiary device at the entrance to Altman’s property. The device ignited a fire at the top of the entrance gate. No injuries were reported and Moreno-Gama fled the scene.
About an hour and a half later, around 5 a.m., he arrived at OpenAI headquarters, threw a chair against a glass door and threatened to “burn it and kill anyone inside,” according to the complaint filed in federal court in San Francisco. Officers responded and arrested him at the scene.
‘It wasn’t spontaneous’: FBI says attack was planned, targeted
Law enforcement officials were unequivocal about the nature of the attack. FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo said at a news conference Monday: “This was not spontaneous. It was planned, targeted and extremely serious.”
In a written statement, Cobo added: “The charges announced today reflect a deeply troubling escalation from intent to action targeting a private residence and technology company with violence.
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FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Monday that the agency and its partners had conducted a related operation in Texas linked to the attack on Altman’s home, although further details were not released.
The Document That Revealed the Plan: List of Successful AI Executives
When the police arrested Moreno-Gama after the incident at the OpenAI headquarters, they obtained a document in his possession that revealed the full extent of his intentions and the depth of his ideological convictions.
According to the federal complaint, the first part of the document, titled “Your Final Warning,” said Moreno-Gama “killed/attempted to kill” a person identified in court filings as “Victim-1” — described as the CEO of a “research company that deploys and develops artificial intelligence and operates in interstate and foreign commerce.” It should be noted that Altman is not directly named in the filing.
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The document went further, listing the names and addresses of several other AI executives, board members and investors — a list that prosecutors say reflects a broader campaign of intended violence against the leadership of the tech sector.
The second part of the document, titled “a few more words on the matter of our impending extinction”, expressed Moreno-Gamo’s belief that artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to humanity. The complaint describes his motivation as rooted in a deep hatred of AI technology.
The documentary concluded with a letter addressed directly to Altman, in which Moreno-Gama wrote that “if by some miracle you are alive, then I would take it as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself.”
A second attack on Altman’s home a few days later
The violence did not end with Friday’s shooting. Sam Altman’s residence was reportedly the target of a second attack on Sunday, this time involving gunfire. Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident, but details remain limited.
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Back-to-back attacks on a single address over the weekend raised serious questions about the personal safety of high-ranking technology executives and the extent to which public discussion of AI has begun to inspire real-world danger.
Sam Altman Responds: “I Underestimated the Power of Words”
Altman addressed Friday’s attack on his personal blog, posting alongside a photo of his family. His tone was reflective rather than combative.
“I underestimated the power of words and storytelling,” he wrote, acknowledging that the last few years had been an “extremely intense, chaotic and high-pressure” period. He urged those in the AI industry to tone down the “rhetoric and tactics” that characterize the public debate about the technology.
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For its part, OpenAI confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday and expressed relief that no one was injured.
“Fortunately, no one was hurt,” the company said. “We deeply appreciate how quickly SFPD responded and the city’s support in keeping our employees safe. The individual is in custody and we are assisting law enforcement with their investigation.”
