Authorities investigate suspected connection between Texas man and a violent attack targeting OpenAI CEO’s home

SAN FRANCISCO (NBC, KYMA) - Authorities are investigating a suspected connection between a Texas man and a violent attack targeting a prominent tech executive's home in California.

Federal agents spent several hours Monday at a home in a suburb of Houston as part of an ongoing investigation tied to last week's Molotov cocktail attack at the San Francisco residence of Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI.

Prosecutors allege that Daniel Moreno-Gama carried out the early-morning attack, igniting an exterior gate before fleeing the scene.

"The individual...was in possession of additional incendiary devices, as well as flammable liquid in a lighter," said Deputy Chief Luke Martin with the San Francisco Police Department.

Authorities say he later went to the company's headquarters and issued threats to burn down the building and harm those inside.

Investigators say the suspect had written extensively about his belief that artificial intelligence poses a danger to humanity, views they say were documented at the time of his arrest.

Moreno-Gama now faces federal charges, including possession of an unregistered firearm and destruction of property using explosives, as the investigation continues.

"Today's charges outline a dangerous and deliberate plan to bring violence into San Francisco, the defendant is alleged to having traveled across state lines with the intent to target an individual and a major technology company. This was not spontaneous. This was planned, targeted and extremely serious.

Let me be clear, we will not tolerate the individuals coming into our areas of responsibility to carry out acts of violence. If you travel here with the intent of harming our people, damaging our property and intimidating our communities, you will be identified, investigated and brought to justice.

Acts targeting technology companies are not just local crimes, they have broader implications in economic security and public safety."

Matt Cobo, Acting Special Agent, FBI San Francisco Office