Sam Altman Attack Suspect Previously Discussed 'Luigi'ing Tech CEOs' in Online Chats
According to a new report, the man suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco home of OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman had previously mused about "Luigi'ing some tech CEOs" in an internet discussion months before the assault.
Daniel Moreno-Gama, a 20-year-old Texas college student, made the chilling remark in reference to Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione was charged with gunning down Thompson outside a New York City hotel in December 2024 and pleaded not guilty, later becoming an unlikely folk hero in certain online circles.
Podcast Appearance Under Pseudonym
The Wall Street Journal reports that Moreno-Gama used the phrase invoking Mangione during an online chat with producers of Longview's The Last Invention podcast. He appeared on that podcast in January under the pseudonym "Discord Dan" to discuss his profound opposition to the development of artificial intelligence.
During the interview, Moreno-Gama stated he did not advocate violence against technology executives, commenting: "I understand the frustration with a person who might advocate for that, but it's not practical. It's not worth it."
He elaborated further, saying: "Before we even think about violence, we need to exhaust all our peaceful means. I think protesting, I think sharing information, I think doing podcasts like this, that needs to come way before we even consider that."
Journey from AI Awe to Anti-AI Campaigner
Moreno-Gama described his transformation from a high school student impressed by ChatGPT to his current stance as an anti-AI activist. He cited being influenced by reading critics of emerging technology, particularly writer Eliezer Yudkowsky.
Yudkowsky warned in a 2023 Time magazine article 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."
Reflecting on this, Moreno-Gama said: "I was like, 'OK, I hope he's kind of wrong,' but over time, I realized very few of his main criticisms ever got refuted." He admitted to becoming "annoying" in his zealotry but criticized the mockery of "AI doomers," suggesting only ignorance prevented others from sharing his intense concerns.
Attack Aftermath and Manifesto Discovery
The attack on Altman's home occurred last Friday, just days after The New Yorker published an in-depth profile of the entrepreneur that aired criticisms of his leadership. Following the assault, investigators discovered a manifesto allegedly belonging to Moreno-Gama that warned of apocalyptic consequences from artificial intelligence.
The document contained a direct message to the OpenAI CEO: "If by some miracle you live, then I would take this as a sign from the divine to redeem yourself..."
In response, Altman posted a rare family photograph on his blog, hoping to deter copycat attacks "no matter what they think about me." He also issued a statement appealing for critics to "de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics" while acknowledging concerns about AI's potential dangers.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Arguments
Moreno-Gama now faces both federal and California state charges related to the attack, including attempted murder and arson. He has not yet entered a plea in either case.
Diamond Ward, his public defender in the state case, has dismissed the incident as a "property crime, at best," noting that no one was harmed and the attacker only succeeded in setting an exterior security gate alight.
"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," Ward stated.
The attorney pointed to her client's history of autism and mental health issues, adding that the alleged actions "appear to have been driven by an acute mental health crisis, not a desire to harm."
Moreno-Gama's parents expressed concern about their son, stating they had been seeking treatment for him. They added in a statement: "He is a very caring person and has never been arrested before. Until very recently, he was working hard at a restaurant and attending college classes."
