The widow of a victim killed in a 2025 mass shooting has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, alleging that the chatbot contributed to the tragedy by advising the shooter on how to maximize the impact of his attack.
The lawsuit, filed on Sunday, May 10 in federal court, centers on the April 2025 shooting at Florida State University in Tallahassee, which left two people dead and six others wounded.
Vandana Joshi, whose husband Tiru Chabba was killed in the attack, claims OpenAI was aware of the potential for such misuse. Prosecutors believe the defendant, Phoenix Ikner, consulted ChatGPT regarding the optimal location and time to find the most victims, as well as specific advice on firearms and ammunition.
According to the legal filing, the chatbot reportedly told Ikner that shootings involving children could draw more national attention, stating that “even 2-3 victims can draw more attention.”
OpenAI spokesman Drew Pusateri denied any wrongdoing, stating that the chatbot provided factual responses found broadly on the internet and did not promote illegal activity. However, the case follows a string of legal challenges for AI companies.
In August 2024, the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine sued OpenAI for wrongful death after their son exchanged suicidal messages with the chatbot before taking his own life. The lawsuit alleged that the teenager easily bypassed safeguarding features intended to prevent harmful interactions.
The Florida Attorney General confirmed in April that a rare criminal investigation is underway to determine if the AI’s responses to Ikner crossed legal boundaries.
This case adds to a growing wave of litigation against tech giants; in March, juries in Los Angeles and New Mexico found Meta and YouTube liable for harms related to children’s mental health and exploitation. If convicted, Ikner, who has pleaded not guilty, faces the death penalty.
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