Man faces attempted murder charges in attack on home of OpenAI’s Sam Altman
Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Attack on OpenAI’s Sam Altman
A 20-year-old Texan has been charged with multiple offenses following an incident at the San Francisco residence of OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Daniel Moreno-Gama is set to face state charges, including two counts of attempted murder, during an arraignment on Tuesday afternoon. Simultaneously, federal prosecutors allege he also violated laws related to firearm possession and property destruction via explosives.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, Moreno-Gama was found in possession of materials promoting AI opposition and inciting violence against executives and investors. “Violence cannot be the norm for expressing disagreement, be it with politics or a technology or any other matter,” stated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “These alleged actions – which damaged property and could well have taken lives – will be aggressively prosecuted.”
“To ensure society gets AI right, we need to work through the democratic process,” said OpenAI in a statement. “We welcome a good faith debate, but there is no place in our democracy for violence against anyone, regardless of the AI lab they work at or side of the debate they belong to.”
Attack Details
On Friday, Moreno-Gama allegedly set fire to an exterior gate at Altman’s home around 4:00 local time (12:00 BST) before escaping on foot. Security personnel reported he attempted to strike the building’s glass doors with a chair shortly afterward. Federal authorities also noted the recovery of incendiary devices, a kerosene jug, and a lighter from the suspect.
The criminal complaint includes surveillance images capturing Moreno-Gama at both the home and the OpenAI headquarters. No one was injured in the attacks, and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins praised the lack of casualties at a Monday press conference. “I’m grateful that Mr. Altman, his family, and employees were uninjured and remain safe,” she added.
Documents and Context
The documents seized from Moreno-Gama reportedly outline concerns about AI’s potential threat to humanity, with a section titled “Some more words on the matter of our impending extinction.” They also include statements like, “If I am going to advocate for others to kill and commit crimes, then I must lead by example and show that I am fully sincere in my message,” alongside names and addresses of AI industry leaders.
Earlier Monday, the FBI conducted a Texas raid linked to the incident, as shared on X by Director Kash Patel. The case gained attention after last week’s New Yorker article questioned Altman’s leadership in developing contentious AI technology. Altman referenced the piece following the attack, calling it an “incendiary article about me” and urging reduced hostility toward AI. He later clarified his connection to the piece on social media after facing criticism.
OpenAI’s 2022 release of ChatGPT sparked widespread consumer enthusiasm for AI chatbots. Since then, the sector has attracted substantial financial backing, prompting skepticism among investors and observers. To stay updated on tech trends, sign up for the Tech Decoded newsletter. Outside the UK? Subscribe here.
