Widow of FSU Shooting Victim Sues OpenAI, Alleging ChatGPT Conversations Contributed to Attacker’s Actions

Vandana Joshi, the widow of Tiru Chabba, filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI in Florida on Sunday. The suit names Phoenix Ikner, the man accused in the April 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University and a student there at the time, as a defendant.

It alleges that Ikner had extensive conversations with ChatGPT in the months before the attack that left two people dead: Chabba and university dining director Robert Morales.

According to the complaint, Ikner shared with ChatGPT images of firearms he had acquired. The chatbot also advised Ikner to keep his finger off the trigger until he was ready to shoot. Ikner began his attack at FSU by following the instructions provided by ChatGPT.

M. m. m. were peak hours at the FSU student union. The lawsuit states that ChatGPT told Ikner it is much more likely for a shooting to gain national attention if children are involved and that even 2-3 victims can draw more attention.

On the day of the shooting, Ikner asked ChatGPT about the legal process, sentencing, and incarceration outlook. Over several months leading up to the attack, Ikner engaged ChatGPT in lengthy discussions about his interests in Hitler, Nazis, fascism, national socialism, Christian nationalism, and perceptions about Jews and blacks by different political ideologies and social groups.

He also discussed the Columbine High School shooting and the Virginia Tech shooting with the chatbot.

ChatGPT flattered and praised Ikner, who told the chatbot about his loneliness and depression. The suit claims the interactions inflamed and encouraged Ikner’s delusions and helped convince him that violent acts can be required to bring about change.