Vandana Joshi sues Sam Altman after shooter, who used ChatGPT, killed her husband

Vandana Joshi is suing OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, claiming ChatGPT assisted in the planning of the Florida State University shooting that killed her husband, Tiru Chabba, in April 2025. The lawsuit alleges the accused shooter, Phoenix Ikner, exchanged over 10,000 messages with ChatGPT before the attack, including queries about busy times at the university’s student union, which reportedly influenced his timing. Joshi’s legal team cites court filings showing Ikner sought information from ChatGPT on guns and mass shootings in the months leading up to the attack. Attorney Robert Bell argues the AI system played a central role in the tragedy, suggesting the shooting may not have occurred without ChatGPT’s input. OpenAI denies responsibility, stating ChatGPT’s responses were based on publicly available information and did not encourage illegal activity. The company maintains it has implemented safeguards like age detection and parental controls to mitigate harm. Separately, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of prioritizing growth over safety, alleging the company concealed risks of addiction, self-harm, and violence. The state references the FSU shooting and another homicide case involving ChatGPT queries about disposing of human remains. Florida seeks to hold Altman personally liable for deceptive trade practices and negligence. OpenAI defends its measures, including improvements to detect emotional distress and redirect users to support resources. The lawsuits mark a growing trend of legal challenges against AI companies over alleged failures in user safety.