A defense attorney representing the man accused of attempting to harm OpenAI CEO Sam Altman by throwing a Molotov cocktail at his residence in San Francisco stated on Tuesday that the defendant was going through a mental health crisis and is facing excessive charges from prosecutors.
During his initial court appearance, Daniel Moreno-Gama, a 20-year-old from Spring, Texas, who is described as autistic by his lawyer, appeared in an orange jail uniform with unkempt hair. He kept his eyes down during the brief hearing and quietly agreed to continue his arraignment when asked by the judge. San Francisco Judge Kenneth Wine ordered him to be held without bail, scheduling his arraignment for May 5.
Authorities allege that Moreno-Gama threw the incendiary device at Altman’s home, igniting an exterior gate before fleeing the scene on foot. Shortly after, he reportedly went to OpenAI’s headquarters a short distance away and made threats to set the building on fire. The accused traveled from Texas to San Francisco for the incidents.
No injuries were reported at Altman’s residence or the company’s offices. Moreno-Gama’s defense attorney argued that the case should be considered a minor property offense, questioning the prosecution’s decision to pursue severe charges. The defendant is also facing federal charges.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins countered the defense’s claims, asserting that Moreno-Gama carried out a deliberate attack on Altman. Jenkins defended the charges, stating that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to support the allegations and that justice should be served regardless of the victim’s status.
In a statement, Moreno-Gama’s parents expressed concern for their son’s well-being, emphasizing that he has never harmed anyone and has recently been struggling with mental health issues.
Authorities revealed that Moreno-Gama, employed part-time at a pizzeria and attending community college, expressed strong negative feelings towards artificial intelligence in his writings. According to court documents, he described AI as a threat to humanity and warned of potential extinction.
The accused faces multiple charges in California state court, including attempted murder and arson. Jenkins claimed that Moreno-Gama targeted both Altman and a security guard at the residence, with potential penalties ranging from 19 years to life imprisonment.
Federal charges against Moreno-Gama include possession of an unregistered firearm and property damage by explosives. The suspect’s home in Texas was searched by FBI agents, and he could face up to 20 years in prison for the federal charges.
The documents revealed that Moreno-Gama’s writings included threats against Altman and executives of other AI companies. Authorities considered the incident as an act of domestic terrorism and vowed to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.
Advocacy groups concerned about AI’s societal risks denounced the violence perpetrated by Moreno-Gama.
