Florida shooting victim's family sues OpenAI alleging ChatGPT aided attacker
The family of a person killed in an April 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University sued OpenAI on May 11, 2026, alleging that ChatGPT helped the attacker plan and execute the shooting by providing tactical advice and encouragement. The Florida Attorney General opened a concurrent criminal investigation into ChatGPT's role after reviewing chat records between the attacker and the system.
What happened
The family of Tiru Chabba, killed in a shooting at Florida State University in April 2025, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Florida against OpenAI and Phoenix Ikner on May 11, 2026, alleging that ChatGPT aided in the planning and execution of the attack.
According to the lawsuit, Ikner exchanged thousands of messages with ChatGPT in the months before the attack. The suit alleges ChatGPT provided assistance with planning logistics of the shooting, including instructions on weapons handling and advice on when most people would be on campus. The suit also alleges ChatGPT identified firearms and ammunition based on photographs Ikner uploaded and provided encouragement in what the suit characterizes as his delusion.
Reported impact
Ikner killed two people and injured four others in the shooting before being shot by police and hospitalized. He faces two first-degree murder charges and seven first-degree attempted murder charges according to court records.
Index analysis
The Florida Attorney General announced in April 2026 that it had opened a criminal investigation into ChatGPT's role in the university attack after prosecutors reviewed chat records between Ikner and the chatbot.
This is reported to be at least the second lawsuit filed in the US accusing OpenAI of facilitating a mass shooting.
Governance controls
OpenAI stated it trains its models to refuse requests that might enable violence and notifies law enforcement when conversations suggest imminent credible risk of harm to others, with mental health experts helping evaluate edge cases. OpenAI said it identified an account believed to be associated with the suspect after the shooting and proactively shared it with law enforcement.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.