The home of Sam Altman is seen from Chestnut Street in San Francisco on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Lea Suzuki/AP
The man accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home last week has been identified as a 20-year-old resident of The Woodlands, where federal agents were seen Monday executing a search warrant at his home on Camberwell Court.
Daniel Alejandro Moreno-Gama allegedly threw a firebomb at Altman’s San Francisco residence, according to investigators. He was arrested hours later near OpenAI’s Mission Bay headquarters, where he reportedly threatened to burn down the building.
‘CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT’: Alleged Sam Altman firebomber wrote of fears AI would end humanity
Article continues below this ad
Moreno-Gama was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm as well as damage and destruction of property by means of explosives, according to a report by the Associated Press. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office on Monday evening announced it was charging Moreno-Gama with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a destructive device, among other charges.
Here’s what you need to know about Moreno-Gama.
Who is Daniel Alejandro Moreno-Gama?
Moreno-Gama, 20, has been identified as a Spring area resident whose family’s home is located in The Woodlands Township, north of Houston. He had attended Lone Star College in Montgomery County, officials said during a Monday news conference in San Francisco. It was unclear if he was still a student there and college officials didn’t respond to a request for comment on Monday.
Since 2024, Moreno-Gama had written extensively about his growing concerns over AI on a personal Substack and Discord server, PauseAI, an activist group focused on banning the development of the most powerful AI models to protect the public.
Article continues below this ad
In recent Substack posts, he wrote that the race for artificial intelligence could lead to human extinction, arguing the technology was not aligned with mankind’s interests. He published six entries between Jan. 6 and March 1.
What are authorities saying about Daniel Alejandro Moreno-Gama?
Moreno-Gama is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail, which is a type of firebomb, at Altman’s residence early Friday morning, according to San Francisco police. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the fire was extinguished by security personnel and no one was injured.
He was later arrested near OpenAI’s Mission Bay headquarters and charged with possession of an unregistered firearm as well as damage and destruction of property by means of explosives.
Moreno-Gama had no criminal history in Harris County or Texas, according to public records.
Article continues below this ad
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jennings said Monday that Moreno-Gama showed an “extreme danger” to the public while discussing the threatening language he used online.
“In no way should we be at the point where a man could have lost his life over differences of opinion,” she said.
What is Sam Altman saying?
Altman responded to the attack in a blog and said there is a “sincere concern” over the impacts of AI.
Article continues below this ad
“This is quite valid, and we welcome good-faith criticism and debate. I empathize with anti-technology sentiments and clearly technology isn’t always good for everyone. But overall, I believe technological progress can make the future unbelievably good, for your family and mine,” he wrote. “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.”
Houston Chronicle reporter John Wayne Ferguson contributed to this reporting