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OpenAI is facing a new lawsuit over ChatGPT’s alleged role in the Florida State University shooting. The lawsuit, filed by the widow of one of the victims, claims that the perpetrator, Phoenix Ikner, had extensive conversations with ChatGPT before carrying out the attack. According to the complaint, the chatbot assisted Ikner in planning the shooting by identifying guns, ammunition and suggesting the time and location to maximize casualties during the shooting.
The lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT encouraged and assisted the shooter, who opened fire outside the FSU Student Union, killing Tiru Chabba and university dining director Robert Morales. In the mass shooting incident and left several others wounded.
FSU Shooting Allegation on ChatGPT
Following last year’s Florida State University shooting that left Tiru Chabba and Robert Morales dead and several others wounded, the Florida Attorney has revealed that accused Phoenix Ikner used the OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform to plan the crime. The court filing stated that the Ikner had an extensive conversation with the ChatGPT ahead of the attack.
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According to the complaint, the ChatGPT either failed to connect the dots or the platform has not been fully designed to recognize the threat. The lawsuit alleged that the perpetrator Ikner had reportedly consulted the ChatGPT to identify the weapons, ammunition, and carry out the attack in the most populated campus.
Criminal Investigation Against ChatGPT In FSU Shooting
In April 2026, a criminal investigation was also announced by the Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier into OpenAI and its application, ChatGPT, for its role in the shooting incident. Uthmeier had stated that Florida would lead the way in cracking down on OpenAI’s role in criminal behavior. According to him, if ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing murder charges. The lawsuit filed by the victims’ families have also alleged OpenAI and ChatGPT for supporting the suspect and encouraging him to carry out the terrible crime.
OpenAI’s Response in FSU Shooting
OpenAI has rejected the claims by saying that ChatGPT is not responsible for the attack. The platform has argued that “ChatGPT provided factual responses to questions with information that could be found broadly across public sources on the internet, and it did not encourage or promote illegal or harmful activity,” read the company statement.
The spokesperson further stated that the company will continue to cooperate with the authorities. ChatGPT serves hundreds of millions of users daily. To protect and safeguard the harmful intent, we continuously upgrade and identify risks or potential misuse of the platform, he said.