There is growing concern across the country over the possible culpability of AI in the Florida State University (FSU) shooting by 21-year old Phoenix Ikner in 2025. Research company OpenAI and its chatbot product ChatGPT are facing negligence lawsuits, but that is not all. The state’s Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an investigation into possible criminal charges against the technology company.
AI legal damages are rapidly evolving as courts address harms involving artificial intelligence. As we are starting to realize, the potential civil liabilities could reach millions in settlements. Keep reading to learn how the attorneys at Fasig | Brooks is working hard to hold OpenAI accountable for failing to prevent its products from being used for such purposes.
What Happened at Florida State University?
In April of 2025, Ikner used his step-mother’s (a Leon County sheriff’s deputy) service weapon to kill two people and injure five on the school’s campus. Ikner used ChatGPT to plan the attack, getting advice about what weapons and ammunition to use and how to make the national news. Fasig | Brook’s own partner Carrie Roane represents one seriously injured party and told news outlets that OpenAI should have prevented this form of information exchange. Had the company done so, the violence that resulted may have been prevented.
What Is AG Uthmeier Doing About This Link?
AG Uthmeier has officially launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its ChatGPT platform. The Office of Statewide Prosecution opened the probe after reviewing chat logs between ChatGPT and Ikner.
State prosecutors determined that the AI chatbot provided specific, actionable logistics that aided the gunman. Uthmeier issued criminal subpoenas demanding the AI company hand over the suspect’s full account data while demanding internal training materials and red-flag reporting policies regarding user threats.
Nationwide Trends and Recent AI Damages in Legal Cases
Florida is not the only place in the country where AI damages in legal cases are becoming an unfortunate trend. Claims regarding training data have resulted in sometimes billion-dollar settlements negotiations to avoid trial. Companies are also paying out for unfulfilled promises. Misleading consumers about AI features recently led to a $250 million settlement, while judges in Delaware are increasingly holding companies liable when they falsely promote AI capabilities to investors or clients.
Talk to Us About AI Damages in Legal Cases and Schedule Your Consultation
The skilled legal team at Fasig |Brooks have been carefully evaluating the evidence surrounding AI damages in personal injury cases as well as the potential legal options for our clients. What happened at FSU is a tragedy, and if we have the ability to help prevent these types of incidents in the future, we must act together now.
The team at Fasig | Brooks prioritizes long-term trust and a genuine connection with our clients. We are all about building relationships instead of short-term transactions. This is not your big box firm, but a place where you could go for trusted advice. We invite you to reach out to our office to learn more about AI damages in legal cases with a free consultation.