Federal authorities said a 20-year-old Texas man who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s house in San Francisco last week was carrying an anti-AI manifesto when he was arrested.
Local and federal authorities on Monday announced charges against Daniel Moreno-Gama, who is suspected of tossing the incendiary device at Altman’s home in the city’s Russian Hill neighborhood shortly before 4 a.m. Friday.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Monday that Moreno-Gama is facing charges that include attempted murder and arson.
“We interpret this behavior for just what it is — an attempt on Mr. Altman’s life and an extreme danger to those around him and those who work for his company,” Jenkins said.
U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian said the suspect was facing federal charges of attempted damage and destruction of property with an explosive and possession of an unregistered firearm.
“We are only at the beginning of this investigation, but if the evidence shows that Mr. Moreno-Gama executed these attacks to change public policy or to coerce government and other officials, we will treat this as an act of domestic terrorism and together with our law enforcement partners prosecute him to the fullest extent allowed by law,” Missakian said.
Arrested with anti-AI manifesto
After allegedly throwing a device at Altman’s home, Moreno-Gama then went to OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco and allegedly threatened to burn down the building at about 5 a.m., according to police. He was arrested and jailed after that.
Authorities said officers found incendiary devices, kerosene, a lighter and a document that he had apparently written, entitled “Your Last Warning.” The document allegedly advocated against AI and for the killing and commission of other crimes against CEOs of AI companies and their investors, and listed names and addresses that purported to belong to multiple CEOs and investors, federal authorities said.
In the document, Moreno-Gama also allegedly admitted to attempting to kill Altman and requested others to join his movement.
Moreno-Gama allegedly ended the document with a letter addressed to the Altman, writing “If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself…”
The charges come after the FBI carried out a court-authorized search at the suspect’s home in the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas, on Monday.
Altman takes to social media
In a blog post written after the attack on Friday, Altman included a photo of his husband with their child.
“Normally we try to be pretty private, but in this case I am sharing a photo in the hopes that it might dissuade the next person from throwing a Molotov cocktail at our house, no matter what they think about me.”
Altman said he understood that criticism of AI comes from “sincere concern about the incredibly high stakes of this technology,” and said he welcomes good-faith criticism and debate.
“… (W)e should de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics and try to have fewer explosions in fewer homes, figuratively and literally.”
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO
“While we have that debate, we should de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics and try to have fewer explosions in fewer homes, figuratively and literally.”
The district attorney said Moreno-Gama is charged with two counts of attempted murder, attempted arson, possession of a destructive device in a public place, possession of a destructive device or explosive with intent to injure a victim, and exploding or igniting a destructive device with intent to murder.
In connection with the incident at the OpenAI building, Moreno-Gama is also charged with attempted criminal threats, possession of a flammable or combustible substance, and the attempted arson of an occupied building.