Suspect in OpenAI CEO home attack charged over alleged ‘kill plot’
A man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the home of Open AI CEO Sam Altman allegedly plotted to kill him and other AI executives, believing the technology poses a threat to humanity, prosecutors have said.
Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, faces state charges in California including two counts of attempted murder of Altman and his security guard, according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
He also faces federal charges of attempted destruction of property using explosives, and possession of an unregistered firearm, according to a press release issued on Tuesday by the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.
Prosecutors allege Morena-Gama traveled from Texas to San Francisco “in order to kill the CEO of a major Artificial Intelligence company.”
The attack took place early on Friday, when the suspect allegedly threw an incendiary device at Altman’s residence, setting fire to an exterior gate before fleeing. Less than an hour later, he reportedly went to OpenAI’s headquarters and attempted to break in, threatening to burn the building and “kill anyone inside,” according to the federal complaint.
Surveillance images allegedly show Moreno-Gama throwing the Molotov cocktail and later being approached by security while carrying a container of kerosene.
Police arrested him at the scene, recovering additional incendiary devices, a jug of kerosene, and a written document. The text, titled ‘Your Last Warning’, advocated violence against AI executives and listed names and addresses of industry figures, prosecutors said. It also allegedly included an admission that he had attempted to kill the Altman and called on others to follow suit.
I wrote this early this morning and I wasn't sure if I would actually publish it, but here it is:https://t.co/7Dw9UFpeep
— Sam Altman (@sama) April 10, 2026
Federal officials said the investigation is ongoing and warned the case could be treated as domestic terrorism if evidence shows the suspect sought to influence public policy through violence.
Separate state charges of attempted murder and attempted arson could carry a sentence ranging from 19 years to life in prison, according to prosecutors.
According to The Independent, the authorities say the suspect was motivated by opposition to AI and had written about its alleged threat to humanity and “impending extinction.”
The attack comes amid mounting scrutiny of OpenAI over its government contracts and broader concerns about the impact of AI.
Altman addressed the situation in a blog post, sharing a photo of his family and expressing hope that “images have power” and might help deter similar attacks.
He added that he “underestimated the power of words and narratives,” noting that the incident came days after “an incendiary article” about him and his company, likely referring to a New Yorker investigation detailing allegations of deception and safety failings at OpenAI, as well as scrutiny over its recent $50 billion Pentagon deal.
Altman said he initially brushed aside the concerns, but the attack prompted him to rethink his views. He outlined broader reflections on AI and regulation, calling for “the rhetoric and tactics” to be de-escalated. He described fears regarding AI as “justified” and stressed the need to “get safety right,” while arguing that it must be “democratized.”
The incident comes at a difficult time for both Altman and OpenAI. The company has faced backlash over its Pentagon deal allowing its technology to be used in classified military operations. Critics warn that the tools could enable warrantless surveillance, with users and developers accusing the company of prioritizing government contracts over public trust.
In a case set to go to trial later this month, Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and Altman, alleging that the CEO “manipulated” him into donating $38 million on promises that the company would remain a nonprofit. Musk, a co-founder who left in 2018, is seeking Altman’s removal.
OpenAI’s headquarters has been targeted before by protesters. Last month, activists opposing the Pentagon deal wrote messages in chalk outside the building, including: “Technology in service of humanity, not war,” “No AI surveillance state,” and “Is it time to quit?” Last February, police arrested five demonstrators who blocked the entrance as part of a protest by the group Stop AI.
