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A 20 year old Texas man accused of launching a Molotov cocktail attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home is now at the center of a federal case that includes explosive allegations, a second attempted attack, and urgent claims from his family that he is suffering a serious mental health crisis.

Authorities say Daniel Moreno Gama escalated his actions within hours, moving from a residential attack to confronting OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco, where investigators allege he tried to set fire to the building and threatened lives inside. Surveillance footage, according to a federal complaint, captured both incidents in detail.

The case has quickly become a high profile legal and public safety concern, with prosecutors pointing to incendiary devices, a written manifesto, and repeated threats targeting artificial intelligence executives.

Charges Filed

Daniel Moreno Gama faces federal charges of attempted damage and destruction of property by means of explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm. Prosecutors say the charges stem from a Molotov cocktail attack on a North Beach home linked to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Shortly after the first incident, authorities say Moreno Gama traveled to OpenAI’s headquarters, where he allegedly struck the building’s glass doors with a chair and told security he intended to burn the site and kill people inside.

Evidence Recovered

When officers detained him, investigators say they found a troubling collection of materials, including incendiary devices, a jug of kerosene, a lighter, and a written document titled “Your Last Warning,” which allegedly outlined opposition to artificial intelligence and called for violence against industry executives, listing their names and addresses.

Family Speaks Out

Moreno Gama’s family says the allegations do not reflect who he is, describing him as a young man without a prior criminal record who had been working at a restaurant while attending college classes.

“Our son Daniel is a loving person who has been suffering recently from a mental illness crisis,” his parents said a statement released Tuesday by the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. “We have been trying our best to address these issues and get him effective treatment, and we are very concerned for his wellbeing.”

They also requested privacy as the case moves forward.

Court Proceedings

Moreno Gama appeared in court Tuesday, where Deputy Public Defender Diamond Ward was appointed to represent him. His arraignment was continued to May 5, and he did not enter a plea. He remains in custody without bail, according to the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office.

Ward pointed to Moreno Gama’s mental health history and referenced a prior autism diagnosis.

“What’s becoming clear is that Daniel’s actions appear to have been driven by an acute mental health crisis, not a desire to harm,” Ward said. She called the case “overcharged” and noted that no one was injured and that the damage appears limited.

“It is unfair and unjust for the San Francisco District Attorney and the federal government to fearmonger and exploit this young man’s vulnerability simply due to the high-profile status of the people involved,” she said. “... Daniel is entitled to due process and fair proceedings. We will defend him zealously and seek a just outcome in this case.”

Potential Penalties

If convicted, Moreno Gama faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and up to 20 years on the explosives charge, along with up to 10 years on the firearm charge, prosecutors said.