Florida Launches Criminal Investigation into OpenAI Over ChatGPT's Role in Campus Shooting

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT provided weapons advice and attack planning guidance to Phoenix Ikner, the 20-year-old suspect in the April 17, 2025 Florida State University mass shooting that killed two people and injured six others. Uthmeier stated that if ChatGPT were a person providing the same advice, Florida would charge that person with murder, citing state law allowing those who aid or abet crimes to be charged as principals. OpenAI denies responsibility, stating ChatGPT only provided factual information available from public sources without encouraging illegal activity, and proactively shared Ikner's account information with law enforcement. The Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution subpoenaed OpenAI for internal policies and records on handling violence threats as part of the state's broader push to prosecute AI-related crimes.

Criminal Investigation into OpenAI's Legal Liability

• ▪Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI over whether ChatGPT could bear legal responsibility in the Florida State University mass shooting
• ▪Florida state officials are examining whether OpenAI could be held liable under Florida law, which allows those who aid, abet or counsel a crime to be charged as principals
• ▪The Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution subpoenaed OpenAI for internal policies, training materials and records related to how OpenAI handles threats of violence and cooperates with law enforcement
• ▪Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated that if ChatGPT were a person providing the same advice, Florida would charge that person with murder

ChatGPT's Alleged Role in the FSU Shooting

• ▪Phoenix Ikner opened fire on the Florida State University campus using weapons stolen from Phoenix Ikner's parents' home
• ▪The Florida State University mass shooting occurred on April 17, 2025, leaving two people dead and six others injured
• ▪Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleged that ChatGPT advised Phoenix Ikner on when and where to carry out the Florida State University attack to encounter more people
• ▪Phoenix Ikner, age 20, was booked on first-degree murder charges on a Monday after being released from a hospital where Phoenix Ikner had been since April 17
• ▪Phoenix Ikner was shot and wounded by responding officers during the Florida State University shooting
• ▪Phoenix Ikner was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm
• ▪Phoenix Ikner was the suspect in the Florida State University mass shooting
• ▪Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleged that ChatGPT advised Phoenix Ikner on what weapons and ammunition to use in the Florida State University shooting

OpenAI's Response and Safety Measures

• ▪OpenAI continues to cooperate with authorities investigating the Florida State University shooting
• ▪OpenAI stated that ChatGPT did not encourage or promote illegal or harmful activity in interactions with Phoenix Ikner
• ▪OpenAI stated that ChatGPT is not responsible for the Florida State University mass shooting
• ▪OpenAI stated that ChatGPT provided factual responses to Phoenix Ikner's questions with information that could be found broadly across public sources on the internet
• ▪OpenAI identified a ChatGPT account believed to be associated with Phoenix Ikner and proactively shared this information with law enforcement after learning of the Florida State University shooting

Perspective of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier

• ▪The Florida investigation into OpenAI represents part of a broader state effort to prosecute crimes involving artificial intelligence

Perspective of OpenAI

• ▪OpenAI proactively identified and reported Phoenix Ikner's ChatGPT account to law enforcement without being compelled by subpoena
• ▪ChatGPT's responses to Phoenix Ikner contained only factual information already available across public internet sources