Florida State University was the site of a horrific massacre, but the discovery of a gunman’s extensive AI plot has led to a federal lawsuit

A federal lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI by the family of Tiru Chabba, one of the two people killed during a mass shooting at Florida State University in April 2025. This legal action, initiated on Sunday in Florida’s northern federal district court by the victim’s widow, Vandana Joshi, centers on the claim that the accused gunman, Phoenix Ikner, utilized ChatGPT to plan and execute the attack.

According to The Guardian, the 76-page complaint alleges that the AI model provided specific, actionable input to Ikner over several months, which the plaintiffs argue should have alerted the system to an imminent threat. The shooting occurred on 17 April 2025 and resulted in the deaths of Chabba and university dining director Robert Morales, while also leaving five other individuals wounded.

According to the court filing, Ikner engaged in lengthy, recurring discussions with the chatbot that touched on themes of terrorism and school-based mass violence. The attorneys representing the Joshi family contend that these interactions were detailed enough that they should have triggered safety protocols within the software. The complaint explicitly states that ChatGPT either failed to connect these dangerous dots or was never built with the proper design to identify such a threat.

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One of the most alarming allegations in the lawsuit involves the technical assistance Ikner allegedly received regarding weaponry. The plaintiffs claim that Ikner used the platform to identify specific firearms and ammunition. Furthermore, the suit alleges that ChatGPT provided instructions on how to use these weapons, specifically noting that the chatbot informed the user that a Glock had no safety and was designed to be fired quickly under stress.

The chatbot also reportedly advised the user to keep his finger off the trigger until he was ready to shoot. These details paint a picture of a tool being used to refine a violent plan, which is a major concern for anyone watching the rapid evolution of generative AI. The lawsuit further details that Ikner sought advice on the logistics of his plan, including the best time of day to ensure the highest foot traffic on campus.

It is alleged that the AI helped convince the suspect that violent acts were necessary to bring about change and reinforced his delusions that he was a rational individual. In one instance, the filing claims Ikner asked the model how many fatalities would be required for a school shooting to garner national media attention.

The complaint alleges that ChatGPT responded by noting that incidents involving three or more people were more likely to get widespread coverage and that the involvement of children could increase that attention even further. On the day of the attack, the lawsuit states that Ikner asked the chatbot about the legal consequences he might face, including sentencing and incarceration.

While these specific exchanges are now at the heart of a massive legal battle, OpenAI has firmly disputed the allegations. A spokesperson for the company stated that while the attack was a tragedy, ChatGPT is not responsible for the crime. The company maintains that it identified an account associated with the suspect after the incident and proactively shared that information with law enforcement.

OpenAI asserts that it continues to cooperate with authorities and that the chatbot provided only factual information that is widely available on the internet. OpenAI’s position is that ChatGPT is a general-purpose tool, and they are working to strengthen their safeguards to detect harmful intent. However, the legal pressure is mounting. Beyond this civil lawsuit, Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, announced on 21 April that he was launching a criminal investigation into OpenAI regarding the shooting.

Uthmeier stated that if ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder. This adds a complex layer to the ongoing public debate about the nature of AI, which has seen explosive growth since ChatGPT was first released in November 2022. The technology behind these models, known as generative pre-trained transformers, has been praised for its ability to transform professional fields and handle tasks ranging from writing to coding.

The platform faces persistent criticism regarding unethical use, misinformation, and hallucinations. With 900 million weekly active users, the stakes for safety are high. This case could serve as a pivotal moment for developer accountability. Ikner, who pleaded not guilty, faces trial in October for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

Meanwhile, lawyers for the family of the other deceased victim, Robert Morales, have also indicated plans to file their own lawsuit against OpenAI.