The family of a man killed in last year’s mass shooting at Florida State University filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against OpenAI, alleging the company’s ChatGPT platform acted as a digital accomplice by encouraging the shooter’s delusions and helping him plan the attack.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, represents the estate of Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old father of two and Aramark employee who was one of two people killed when student Phoenix Ikner opened fire on campus on April 17, 2025.
Attorneys for Chabba’s widow, Vandana Joshi, argue that OpenAI’s technology did more than provide information; it “befriended” the shooter and validated his violent intent.
Detailed Planning via Chat
According to the lawsuit, Ikner engaged in extensive, months-long conversations with the AI. The filings allege that ChatGPT provided specific guidance on which weapons to use, identified busy locations on campus to maximize casualties, and even offered instructions on how to operate firearms just minutes before the shooting began.
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The lawsuit claims the AI went as far as advising Ikner on how to secure national media coverage, reportedly telling him that “if children are involved, even 2-3 victims can draw more attention.”
“Ikner had multiple lengthy conversations with ChatGPT about his interests in Hitler, Nazis, fascism, national socialism, Christian nationalism and worse,” said national civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, who is representing the family. “They talked about multiple mass shootings and they planned this shooting together. Not once did anyone flag that as concerning.”
Calls for Accountability
The legal team, which includes attorneys from The Strom Law Firm and Osborne, Francis and Pettis, alleges that OpenAI prioritized user engagement and profit over public safety. They argue the company failed to implement basic guardrails that should have triggered an alert to law enforcement or mental health professionals.
“ChatGPT didn’t just help Ikner find information. It ‘befriended’ him. It encouraged his delusions,” said attorney Gregorio Francis. “It endorsed his view that he was a sane and rational individual and helped convince him that violent acts can be required to bring about change.”
The details emerged as Florida authorities confirmed a criminal investigation into OpenAI’s role. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated that the evidence suggests a level of cooperation that would carry severe consequences in a human context.
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“If ChatGPT were a person, it would be charged with murder,” Uthmeier said.
Tiru Chabba was on the FSU campus as a business invitee in his role as a regional vice president for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality when he was killed. He is survived by his wife of 18 years and two minor children, ages 5 and 11.
“OpenAI knew this would happen. It’s happened before and it was only a matter of time before it happened again,” Vandana Joshi said in a statement. “But they chose to put their profits over our safety and it killed my husband. They need to be responsible before another family has to go through this.”
OpenAI has not yet issued a formal response to the specific allegations in the 76-page complaint. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, citing negligence, strict products liability, and failure to warn.
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