Fatal incidentChatbot-linked ViolenceApril 17, 2025United States

Family of FSU Shooting Victim Sues OpenAI, Alleging ChatGPT Helped Plan the Attack

Vandana Joshi, widow of Tiru Chabba (45, killed in the Florida State University mass shooting that also killed Robert Morales and injured several others), filed a federal wrongful-death and product-liability suit (Joshi v. OpenAI) alleging the gunman messaged ChatGPT extensively before the attack. The complaint alleges ChatGPT discussed firearms and mass shootings, identified weapons from uploaded photos, advised on timing to maximize victims on campus, and indicated that involving children draws more attention, without escalating warning signs to any human.

2 lives lostAI system:ChatGPT

Impact

One of the first suits alleging an AI chatbot materially assisted a mass shooting. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier separately opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI and issued subpoenas.

Outcome

Case pending. OpenAI denied wrongdoing, saying the chatbot provided information available broadly online and did not promote harm. The suit anticipates and contests a possible Section 230 defense.

Sources

  1. Source 1CNNwww.cnn.com/2026/05/11/tech/fsu-shooter-victim-lawsuit-openai-chatgpt
  2. Source 2NBC Newswww.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/openai-sued-chatgpts-alleged-role-guiding-fsu-shooter-rcna344443
  3. Source 3PBS NewsHourwww.pbs.org/newshour/nation/lawsuit-accuses-chatgpt-of-helping-gunman-plan-fsu-mass-shooting
  4. Source 4Bloomberg Lawnews.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/openai-sued-for-wrongful-death-of-florida-state-shooting-victim

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