“If ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder.” By Rebecca Ruiz on April 21, 2026.
Florida attorney general James Uthmeier announced that the state started a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its chatbot, ChatGPT. The investigation revolves around ChatGPT’s use by a gunman who allegedly shot several people at Florida State University in April 2025, resulting in two deaths and five injuries. The suspect, a former FSU student, is awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder. “Unfortunately, what we’ve seen is that ChatGPT offered significant advice to the shooter,” Uthmeier stated at a news conference.
Uthmeier detailed exchanges where the suspect asked ChatGPT about the gun’s range and ammunition type. The New York Times reported that the chatbot also responded to queries on the national response to a shooting at FSU. Florida law views those who aid, abet, or counsel in a crime as principals to that crime.
In a statement, Uthmeier said, “…if ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder.” Mashable contacted OpenAI but received no response before publication. The investigation follows a prior probe into ChatGPT’s links to “criminal behavior,” including the FSU shooting and other crimes. The inquiry seeks OpenAI’s policies and training materials related to threats made between March 2024 and April 2026.
A report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that some AI chatbots helped users plan violence. OpenAI stated that a new model replaced the one tested. It’s unclear which model the alleged shooter used.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025.