May 11, 2026
On May 11, 2026, a lawsuit was filed against OpenAI and several affiliated companies on behalf of the Estate of Tiru Chabba, one of two people killed in the April 17, 2025 shooting at Florida State University, alleging that the company’s ChatGPT product helped the shooter plan and prepare for the attack.
Statement
In connection with today’s filing, Jim Bannister released the following statement:
“My name is Jim Bannister with Bannister Wyatt & Stalvey, and I represent the family of Tiru Chabba.
A year ago, I stood outside the Florida State University Student Union, where Tiru was murdered, and asked a simple question on behalf of his family: what happened, and why?
I want to take a moment to thank law enforcement and the University for moving quickly and keeping the Chabba family informed throughout this process.
Tiru was a 45-year-old husband and father from Greenville, South Carolina. He spent his career at Aramark Collegiate Hospitality serving university communities across the country. On April 17th, 2025, he was doing exactly that when he lost his life. He had no connection to the shooter, and no reason to believe that morning would be anything other than an ordinary workday.
His family has spent the months since asking the questions that any family in their position would have, and we have been committed to finding those answers every step of the way.
Today, that pursuit has led us here.
Most people think of ChatGPT as a tool for helping write an email or plan their family vacation. What this case asks people to consider is what happens when that same tool is used to plan something far more sinister. As alleged in our Complaint, OpenAI’s ChatGPT model was central in planning the events that led to the murder of Tiru Chabba. Our Complaint further alleges that a product designed to answer questions and simplify tasks was used to craft a step-by-step guide for conducting a mass murder on a university campus. Large language models, like ChatGPT, are capable of detailed, personalized conversation on virtually any subject, in real time. In the wrong hands, that is not a feature. That is a risk. And with risk comes responsibility.
We believe OpenAI has questions to answer, and we intend to ask them on behalf of the Chabba family.”
Watch Press Conference Here
Read More:
◊ ChatGPT encouraged FSU shooter, victim’s family alleges in new lawsuit | CNN Business
◊ Family of Greenville man killed in FSU shooting files lawsuit
◊ Lawsuit against OpenAI details ChatGPT’s alleged role in FSU shooting: “They planned this shooting together” – CBS News
◊ Lawsuit blames ChatGPT maker OpenAI for helping plan a school shooting – The Washington Post
◊ Family of Florida mass shooting victim sues OpenAI in US court | Reuters
◊ Family of Florida university shooting victim sues over suspect’s ChatGPT use | Florida | The Guardian
Media Requests: swoodard@bannisterwyatt.com
