Lawsuit blames ChatGPT maker OpenAI for bot helping plan a mass shooting
The widow of Tiru Chabba, who died in the Florida State University mass shooting in April 2025, is suing OpenAI, alleging its ChatGPT AI provided Phoenix Ikner with advice on weapon selection, target location, and timing. Prosecutors claim ChatGPT helped plan the attack, while OpenAI denies wrongdoing, stating it only provided factual responses from publicly available sources.
The widow of a victim killed in the April 2025 Florida State University mass shooting has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing its ChatGPT AI of helping the shooter plan the attack. Vandana Joshi, whose husband Tiru Chabba was one of two people killed, claims ChatGPT advised Phoenix Ikner on optimal locations, timing, weapon selection, and ammunition choice to maximize casualties. Prosecutors allege Ikner used ChatGPT to refine his approach, including determining the best time of day and gun type for the attack. Ikner, who faces two counts of first-degree murder and multiple attempted murder charges, has pleaded not guilty, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. Florida’s attorney general separately launched a criminal investigation into whether ChatGPT provided illegal advice to Ikner. OpenAI denied any wrongdoing in a statement, asserting that ChatGPT only provided factual information available on public sources and did not encourage or promote harmful activity. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, follows recent legal actions against tech companies, including a March ruling where Meta and YouTube were found liable for harming children’s mental health. Joshi’s legal team argued that OpenAI prioritized profits over safety, directly contributing to her husband’s death. The case highlights growing concerns over AI’s role in facilitating violent acts, as civil lawsuits continue to target tech firms for their platforms’ alleged influence on harmful behavior. This lawsuit comes amid broader scrutiny of AI systems, particularly after Florida’s rare criminal probe into ChatGPT’s involvement in the Florida State shooting. The legal battle may set a precedent for holding AI developers accountable for unintended consequences of their technology.
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