Sam Altman's home allegedly attacked for a second time

At a glance:

• Two people arrested for allegedly firing a gun near Sam Altman's home in San Francisco
• OpenAI CEO's home attacked twice in three days, with a Molotov cocktail thrown and shots fired
• Federal charges filed against a 20-year-old who allegedly threw an incendiary device and threatened to "burn it down and kill anyone inside"

Second Incident Near Altman's Home

On Sunday, two individuals were arrested for allegedly firing a gun near OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's residence in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood. The arrests came just a day after a separate attack on Altman's home when a 20-year-old man allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at the property before proceeding to OpenAI headquarters. According to the San Francisco Police Department, officers responded to a "suspicious occurrence of possible shots fired" at approximately 2:56 a.m. on April 12, 2026. The investigation revealed that a vehicle with two occupants drove past the residence around the time of the alleged shooting, leading to the identification of 25-year-old Amanda Tom of San Francisco and 23-year-old Muhamad Tarik Hussein.

Both suspects were arrested without incident, and police seized three firearms. While the police statement didn't provide detailed information, the San Francisco Standard reported that "a person in the passenger seat put their hand out the window and appeared to fire a round" near Altman's property. This information reportedly came from surveillance footage and Altman's security team. The incident marks the second time in three days that Altman's home has been targeted, raising serious security concerns for one of the tech industry's most prominent figures.

First Attack and Federal Charges

The initial attack occurred on Friday when 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama of Texas allegedly threw an incendiary device at Altman's home before traveling to OpenAI's headquarters and attacking the building's glass doors with a chair. Federal charges were filed against Moreno-Gama on Monday, with a criminal complaint indicating his alleged intent to "burn it down and kill anyone inside" the OpenAI headquarters. Security personnel at OpenAI summarized this statement, which appears to represent Moreno-Gama's alleged intentions rather than a direct quote.

During the investigation, authorities recovered several items from Moreno-Gama's possession, including "incendiary devices, a jug of kerosene, a blue lighter, and a document." The document is described as a "three-part series" authored by Moreno-Gama that allegedly claims he killed or attempted to kill "Victim 1," presumably referring to Altman. Although Gizmodo has not independently verified the contents, Moreno-Gama reportedly wrote in opposition to AI and multiple executives at AI companies. He allegedly possessed a list of board members and CEOs at AI companies as well as investors, suggesting a targeted attack against the AI industry leadership.

Alleged Manifesto and Motivations

Moreno-Gama's document reportedly contains disturbing statements that may shed light on his motivations. "Also if I am going to advocate for others to kill and commit crimes, then I must lead by example and show that I am fully sincere in my message," he allegedly wrote. Another part of the document allegedly includes the line "Some more words on the matter of our impending extinction," suggesting apocalyptic or anti-AI sentiments. A section addressed to "Victim 1" reportedly contains the line "If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself…" which could indicate a complex psychological state or ideological motivation behind the attacks.

These disturbing writings have raised questions about the intersection of AI safety concerns and violent extremism. While some experts who worry about AI's potential dangers have distanced themselves from the violence, incidents like these highlight the real-world tensions surrounding AI development and deployment. The manifesto reportedly included not just threats against Altman but also broader statements about AI and its perceived dangers, suggesting that Moreno-Gama may have been acting out of ideological opposition to the technology rather than a personal grievance.

Industry Response and Broader Context

The attacks on Altman have prompted reflection within the AI community about the potential consequences of public discourse surrounding AI risks. Dr. Emile P. Torres, author of the Realtime Techpocalypse Newsletter, wrote: "I maintain that violence is never acceptable. It's immoral. But others will naturally think, 'I'm in imminent mortal danger, and the CEOs aren't going to stop, so what other choice do I have?'" This statement captures the complex relationship between legitimate concerns about AI safety and the potential for those concerns to manifest in harmful ways.

OpenAI has not publicly commented on the incidents beyond confirming they occurred, and the company did not respond to emailed questions from Gizmodo. The lack of official response from OpenAI may reflect both the ongoing nature of the investigations and the sensitivity of discussing security measures publicly. However, the incidents have undoubtedly heightened awareness of personal security risks for tech executives, particularly those at the forefront of controversial technologies like advanced AI systems. As AI development continues to accelerate, questions about how to balance open discourse with safety concerns remain unresolved.