Family of Florida State University shooting victim plans to sue OpenAI, claiming ChatGPT advised the gunman before the attack

Lawyers for the family of Robert Morales, a 57-year-old dining program manager killed in a shooting at Florida State University on April 17, 2025, announced plans to sue OpenAI, alleging the suspected gunman was in “constant communication with ChatGPT” ahead of the attack and that the chatbot “may have advised the shooter how to commit these heinous crimes.” OpenAI said it identified an account it believes belonged to the suspected shooter and has shared all available information with law enforcement, adding that ChatGPT is built to “understand people's intent and respond in a safe and appropriate way.” The suit is one of several filed against OpenAI in recent months alleging its chatbot played a role in real-world violence, including a December lawsuit claiming ChatGPT fueled a son's delusions ahead of a murder-suicide and a March lawsuit filed on behalf of a 12-year-old injured in a Canadian school shooting.