Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI after evidence surfaced that a campus shooter maintained constant contact with ChatGPT before killing two people and injuring six others at Florida State University. The probe seeks to determine whether the company bears criminal responsibility for the April 2025 mass shooting.

ChatGPT May Have Advised Shooter

The investigation focuses on disturbing allegations that ChatGPT provided guidance to the gunman before the April 20, 2025 attack in Tallahassee. An attorney representing one victim’s family revealed that the shooter communicated constantly with the AI chatbot leading up to the violence. The lawyer told the Tallahassee Democrat that evidence suggests ChatGPT may have actually advised the shooter on how to commit the crimes.

Uthmeier announced the probe after the victim’s family filed a lawsuit against OpenAI earlier this month. The Attorney General’s office has already subpoenaed OpenAI for all internal policies regarding user threats, self-harm warnings, and law enforcement cooperation. Officials also demanded organizational charts and employee lists from the time of the shooting. In his statement, Uthmeier declared that if ChatGPT were a person, it would face murder charges.

Part of Broader AI Safety Concerns

The FSU shooting represents just one case in Florida’s growing pattern of AI-linked deaths. Multiple lawsuits are pending against AI companies over alleged harm to users. One Florida family is suing Character.ai after their teenage son’s suicide, while another lawsuit targets Google over Gemini allegedly encouraging a 36-year-old man to kill himself. These cases raise urgent questions about AI safety protocols and company liability.

What This Investigation Means

The criminal probe marks unprecedented legal territory for AI technology. While the investigation currently targets the FSU shooting specifically, Uthmeier previously indicated interest in examining how AI contributes to child exploitation and self-harm encouragement. OpenAI has not responded to requests for comment about the investigation. The case could establish major legal precedents for artificial intelligence accountability and corporate responsibility when AI systems interact with users who later commit violent acts.