TWO deadly Florida cases are now tied by a chilling question, whether suspected killers used AI to research their crimes.
The link emerged as Florida’s attorney general launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI after last year’s deadly Florida State University shooting.
Sign up for The US Sun newsletter
Thank you!
Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh has been charged with two counts of premeditated murder with a weapon Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Police officers walk past flowers left at the scene after a gunman shot multiple people at Florida State University fire in Tallahassee, Florida on April 17 2025 Credit: EPA
People evacuated Florida State University campus after a mass shooting in Tallahassee Credit: Reuters
The probe comes as prosecutors in the killings of USF doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy say their accused killer also searched ChatGPT about bodies, guns, and police checks.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Tuesday that his office is now investigating OpenAI over the April 17, 2025, FSU shooting.
Two people were killed and five others were injured in the attack.
Officials said suspect Phoenix Ikner asked ChatGPT about the best gun, ammunition, and where and when on campus to kill the most people.
GRIM TWIST
Bodycam warning sign as girl, 12, ran into cops days before she was found dead
GOOD SAMARITAN
‘Selfless & beloved’ Costco clerk brutally ‘murdered’ in random shooting
FSU shooting timeline
12:01 pm: An active shooter was first reported by the FSU student union, police are on their way
12:19 pm: FSU confirmed police were on the scene and instructed students to shelter in place
12:45 pm: A video is shared of students and faculty walking through campus with their hands up
12:58 pm: Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare confirmed they are treating those injured in the shooting
1:01 pm: FBI confirmed agents are on campus investigating the shooting
1:04 pm: FSU notified students that law enforcement is clearing rooms on the main campus
1:45 pm: Leon County school district instructs high schoolers to stay away from FSU’s campus
1:48 pm: Donald Trump says he has been ‘fully briefed’ on the situation
1:50 pm: The Associated Press initially reports that six victims are in the hospital and a suspect has been apprehended
2:44 pm: FSU classes and campus activities are canceled through April 18. Students are allowed to return to residence halls, but are otherwise told to stay in place
3:20 pm: FSU confirms that law enforcement has neutralized the threat and lifts stay-in-place order
3:51 pm: Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House and Carraway buildings are closed
“Unfortunately, what we’ve seen in our initial review is that ChatGPT offered significant advice to the shooter before he committed such heinous crimes,” Uthmeier said.
“My prosecutors have looked at this and they’ve told me if it was a person on the other end of that screen we would be charging them with murder,” he added.
Uthmeier said his office is issuing subpoenas to OpenAI for policies and internal training materials.
The request covers user threats, cooperation with law enforcement, and crime reporting going back to March 2024.
The attorney general said the case is unusual but necessary.
Phoenix Ikner is accused of opening fire on the Florida State University campus in April 2025 Credit: Social Media
“We recognize here with OpenAI we’re venturing into uncharted territory, but we need to know whether or not OpenAI has criminal liability,” Uthmeier said.
The probe has now widened to include the case of Limon and Bristy, two 27-year-old University of South Florida students from Bangladesh.
Limon’s body was found Friday in a trash bag near the Howard Frankland Bridge.
The remains of Bristy had not yet been identified as of Tuesday.
Their roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of premeditated murder with a weapon.
He is also facing charges including unlawful holding or moving of a body, failure to report death, evidence tampering, false imprisonment, and battery.
A judge ordered him held without bond.
Prosecutors said Abugharbieh allegedly asked ChatGPT disturbing questions before and after the students vanished.
On April 13, he allegedly asked, “What happens if a human has put a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster?”
Zamil Limon’s body was found Friday in a trash bag near the Howard Frankland Bridge Credit: Facebook
Nahida S. Bristy was last seen on April 16 Credit: Facebook
The chatbot reportedly warned the question sounded dangerous.
Abugharbieh allegedly replied, “How would they find out.”
Prosecutors also said he asked whether a car’s vehicle identification number could be changed.
He allegedly asked if he could keep a gun at home without a license.
Days after Limon and Bristy disappeared, he allegedly asked, “Has there been someone who survived a sniper bullet to the head.”
He also allegedly searched, “will my neighbors hear my gun.”
On April 23, prosecutors said he asked ChatGPT, “What does missing endangered adult mean.”
Limon and Bristy were last seen on April 16.
Prosecutors said Abugharbieh allegedly asked ChatGPT disturbing questions before and after the students vanished Credit: @HCSOSheriff via Storyful