Sam Altman not alone, Molotov attacker hinted at Mangione-style hits on other tech CEOs
20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama, who is accused of throwing a Molotov at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's house, had reportedly suggested "Luigi'ing some tech CEOs" months before this incident. This was likely in reference to Luigi Mangione who allegedly killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.
A week ago, a 20-year-old man approached OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s residence in San Francisco. The suspect, Daniel Moreno-Gama, allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at the house. As per police filings, Daniel feared that AI could end humanity. And it seems that he may have a plan to fix it, to take a lesson out of Luigi Mangione, who was accused of killing a UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2024.
As per a report from the Wall Street Journal, Daniel Moreno-Gama had suggested “Luigi’ing some tech CEOs,” months before allegedly attacking Altman’s property.
Did Luigi Mangione inspire Sam Altman’s house attacker?
In December 2024, Luigi Mangione allegedly shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. He was arrested five days later. Police reports indicate that Luigi Mangione was fed up with the healthcare industry, with diary entries calling insurance companies "parasitic.”
He aimed to target a high-level executive as a symbolic act of revenge.
After Mangione allegedly killed Thompson, he was seen as a hero by many on social media. Someone who had finally spoken up to the alleged exploitation by healthcare companies. The US is infamous for having high healthcare costs, which many cannot afford without an insurance plan.
Many who claimed to support his act, also attended his court appearances last year.
It seems Daniel Moreno-Gama may have been inspired by Luigi, but in the case of the AI industry. As per the police, he was carrying a manifesto warning that AI would lead to humanity's extinction, which included a message to Altman that read, “If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself.”
Moreno-Gama faces charges including attempted murder and arson, but has not yet entered a plea.
Sam Altman’s alleged attacker used to love ChatGPT
It may seem that Daniel may have always disdained AI. But the 20-year-old told the producers of 'The Last Invention' podcast that he actually enjoyed using ChatGPT at first. According to Daniel, he found ChatGPT “awesome” in high school, because he could “cheat on everything.”
But his perspective soon changed. He told podcasters that he learnt about AI’s dark side by reading AI critics like Eliezer Yudkowsky. In 2023, Yudkowsky wrote a column for Time magazine where he wrote that “the most likely result of building a superhumanly smart AI, under anything remotely like the current circumstances, is that literally everyone on Earth will die.”
In the same interview, the alleged attacker addressed his comments on wanting to 'Luigi’ing some tech CEOs.’ Daniel clarified that his words were not meant to be taken literally. He said, “I understand the frustration with a person who might advocate for that, but it’s not practical. It’s not worth it.”
His public defender, Diamond Ward, argued that the incident was a “property crime, at best,” criticising the charges as overblown due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved.
Sam Altman did respond to the incident. The OpenAI chief shared a photo of his family on his blog, asking people not to target his family. Do note that two days after Daniel allegedly attacked the property, gunshots were heard outside Altman’s house. The police have arrested two suspects.
A week ago, a 20-year-old man approached OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s residence in San Francisco. The suspect, Daniel Moreno-Gama, allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at the house. As per police filings, Daniel feared that AI could end humanity. And it seems that he may have a plan to fix it, to take a lesson out of Luigi Mangione, who was accused of killing a UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2024.
As per a report from the Wall Street Journal, Daniel Moreno-Gama had suggested “Luigi’ing some tech CEOs,” months before allegedly attacking Altman’s property.
Did Luigi Mangione inspire Sam Altman’s house attacker?
In December 2024, Luigi Mangione allegedly shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. He was arrested five days later. Police reports indicate that Luigi Mangione was fed up with the healthcare industry, with diary entries calling insurance companies "parasitic.”
He aimed to target a high-level executive as a symbolic act of revenge.
After Mangione allegedly killed Thompson, he was seen as a hero by many on social media. Someone who had finally spoken up to the alleged exploitation by healthcare companies. The US is infamous for having high healthcare costs, which many cannot afford without an insurance plan.
Many who claimed to support his act, also attended his court appearances last year.
It seems Daniel Moreno-Gama may have been inspired by Luigi, but in the case of the AI industry. As per the police, he was carrying a manifesto warning that AI would lead to humanity's extinction, which included a message to Altman that read, “If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself.”
Moreno-Gama faces charges including attempted murder and arson, but has not yet entered a plea.
Sam Altman’s alleged attacker used to love ChatGPT
It may seem that Daniel may have always disdained AI. But the 20-year-old told the producers of 'The Last Invention' podcast that he actually enjoyed using ChatGPT at first. According to Daniel, he found ChatGPT “awesome” in high school, because he could “cheat on everything.”
But his perspective soon changed. He told podcasters that he learnt about AI’s dark side by reading AI critics like Eliezer Yudkowsky. In 2023, Yudkowsky wrote a column for Time magazine where he wrote that “the most likely result of building a superhumanly smart AI, under anything remotely like the current circumstances, is that literally everyone on Earth will die.”
In the same interview, the alleged attacker addressed his comments on wanting to 'Luigi’ing some tech CEOs.’ Daniel clarified that his words were not meant to be taken literally. He said, “I understand the frustration with a person who might advocate for that, but it’s not practical. It’s not worth it.”
His public defender, Diamond Ward, argued that the incident was a “property crime, at best,” criticising the charges as overblown due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved.
Sam Altman did respond to the incident. The OpenAI chief shared a photo of his family on his blog, asking people not to target his family. Do note that two days after Daniel allegedly attacked the property, gunshots were heard outside Altman’s house. The police have arrested two suspects.
