Topline: A Texas man accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman’s San Francisco home is now facing attempted murder and other state and federal charges.
Published: April 14, 2026 10:30 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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A surveillance image released by the Department of Justice shows a suspect fleeing after throwing a Molotov cocktail that struck a gate outside the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A Texas man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home now faces attempted murder and multiple explosives-related charges in state and federal court.
CBS News reported that authorities identified the suspect as 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama and said the charges were announced after the FBI raided his home in Spring, Texas, on Monday.
Moreno-Gama is charged in California with attempted murder, attempted arson, possession of a destructive device in a public place, possession of a destructive device with intent to injure or intimidate, exploding or igniting a destructive device with intent to murder, and attempted criminal threats, according to officials.
Federal authorities also charged him with attempted damage and destruction of property by means of explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm, according to prosecutors.
According to police, Moreno-Gama traveled from Spring, Texas, to San Francisco to target Altman’s home and carry out the attack early Friday morning. Authorities said an exterior gate caught fire, but no one was injured.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Moreno-Gama could face 19 years to life in prison if convicted on the state charges. Authorities said he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years on the federal explosives charge, plus up to 10 years on the federal possession charge, along with potential fines and supervised release.
Moreno-Gama remained in state custody in California and was expected to make his first appearance in state court on Tuesday, according to authorities. Officials said a date had not yet been set for his first federal court appearance.
According to an FBI affidavit, Moreno-Gama went to OpenAI’s headquarters after the alleged attack and retrieved a chair to strike the building’s glass doors. The affidavit says on-site security reported that he said he came to the headquarters to burn it down and kill anyone inside.
Federal prosecutors said San Francisco police recovered a document Moreno-Gama wrote in which he allegedly claimed responsibility for attempting to kill Altman, encouraged similar acts by others, and listed other CEOs, board members, and investors tied to artificial intelligence companies.
Authorities said officers recovered multiple incendiary devices, a jug of kerosene, and a lighter from Moreno-Gama at the time of his arrest. OpenAI previously said the person suspected of throwing the Molotov cocktail had also made threats against the company’s San Francisco headquarters.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Suspect in Molotov Attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s Home Charged With Attempted Murder
A Texas man accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman’s San Francisco home is now facing attempted murder and other state and federal charges.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 14, 2026 10:30 am ET
A surveillance image released by the Department of Justice shows a suspect fleeing after throwing a Molotov cocktail that struck a gate outside the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A Texas man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home now faces attempted murder and multiple explosives-related charges in state and federal court.
CBS News reported that authorities identified the suspect as 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama and said the charges were announced after the FBI raided his home in Spring, Texas, on Monday.
Moreno-Gama is charged in California with attempted murder, attempted arson, possession of a destructive device in a public place, possession of a destructive device with intent to injure or intimidate, exploding or igniting a destructive device with intent to murder, and attempted criminal threats, according to officials.
Federal authorities also charged him with attempted damage and destruction of property by means of explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm, according to prosecutors.
According to police, Moreno-Gama traveled from Spring, Texas, to San Francisco to target Altman’s home and carry out the attack early Friday morning. Authorities said an exterior gate caught fire, but no one was injured.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Moreno-Gama could face 19 years to life in prison if convicted on the state charges. Authorities said he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years on the federal explosives charge, plus up to 10 years on the federal possession charge, along with potential fines and supervised release.
Moreno-Gama remained in state custody in California and was expected to make his first appearance in state court on Tuesday, according to authorities. Officials said a date had not yet been set for his first federal court appearance.
According to an FBI affidavit, Moreno-Gama went to OpenAI’s headquarters after the alleged attack and retrieved a chair to strike the building’s glass doors. The affidavit says on-site security reported that he said he came to the headquarters to burn it down and kill anyone inside.
Federal prosecutors said San Francisco police recovered a document Moreno-Gama wrote in which he allegedly claimed responsibility for attempting to kill Altman, encouraged similar acts by others, and listed other CEOs, board members, and investors tied to artificial intelligence companies.
Authorities said officers recovered multiple incendiary devices, a jug of kerosene, and a lighter from Moreno-Gama at the time of his arrest. OpenAI previously said the person suspected of throwing the Molotov cocktail had also made threats against the company’s San Francisco headquarters.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
Suspect in Molotov Attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s Home Charged With Attempted Murder
A Texas man accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman’s San Francisco home is now facing attempted murder and other state and federal charges.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 14, 2026 10:30 am ET
A surveillance image released by the Department of Justice shows a suspect fleeing after throwing a Molotov cocktail that struck a gate outside the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A Texas man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home now faces attempted murder and multiple explosives-related charges in state and federal court.
CBS News reported that authorities identified the suspect as 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama and said the charges were announced after the FBI raided his home in Spring, Texas, on Monday.
Moreno-Gama is charged in California with attempted murder, attempted arson, possession of a destructive device in a public place, possession of a destructive device with intent to injure or intimidate, exploding or igniting a destructive device with intent to murder, and attempted criminal threats, according to officials.
Federal authorities also charged him with attempted damage and destruction of property by means of explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm, according to prosecutors.
According to police, Moreno-Gama traveled from Spring, Texas, to San Francisco to target Altman’s home and carry out the attack early Friday morning. Authorities said an exterior gate caught fire, but no one was injured.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Moreno-Gama could face 19 years to life in prison if convicted on the state charges. Authorities said he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years on the federal explosives charge, plus up to 10 years on the federal possession charge, along with potential fines and supervised release.
Moreno-Gama remained in state custody in California and was expected to make his first appearance in state court on Tuesday, according to authorities. Officials said a date had not yet been set for his first federal court appearance.
According to an FBI affidavit, Moreno-Gama went to OpenAI’s headquarters after the alleged attack and retrieved a chair to strike the building’s glass doors. The affidavit says on-site security reported that he said he came to the headquarters to burn it down and kill anyone inside.
Federal prosecutors said San Francisco police recovered a document Moreno-Gama wrote in which he allegedly claimed responsibility for attempting to kill Altman, encouraged similar acts by others, and listed other CEOs, board members, and investors tied to artificial intelligence companies.
Authorities said officers recovered multiple incendiary devices, a jug of kerosene, and a lighter from Moreno-Gama at the time of his arrest. OpenAI previously said the person suspected of throwing the Molotov cocktail had also made threats against the company’s San Francisco headquarters.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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