TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Attorneys for one of the victims killed on Florida State University’s campus nearly a year ago plan to file a lawsuit against ChatGPT, claiming the suspected gunman had “constant communication” with the AI chatbot before the shooting.
The law firm of Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney and Hobbs is representing the family of Robert Morales, a Tallahassee resident who lost his life after accused FSU shooter Phoenix Ikner opened fire on FSU’s campus on April 17.
Morales was one of two victims who died in the shooting. Tiru Chabba, a South Carolina father, also lost his life.
Tiru Chabba (left) and Robert Morales (right) were identified as two men killed in the fatal shooting at Florida State University.(Stewart Moore on X and CBS Miami/The Strom Law Firm)
In a statement sent to WCTV Monday morning, Ryan Hobbs and Dean LeBoeuf with the local law firm said that they “have reason to believe that ChatGPT may have advised the shooter how to commit these heinous crimes.”
“We have been advised that the shooter was in constant communication with ChatGPT leading up to the shooting. We also have reason to believe that ChatGPT may have advised the shooter how to commit these heinous crimes. We will therefore file suit against ChatGPT, and its ownership structure, very soon, and will seek to hold them accountable for the untimely and senseless death of our client, Mr. Morales.”
The expected lawsuit comes just a month after prosecutors announced that a change in judges could delay the upcoming trial of the 21-year-old, which was expected to take place October 19.
WCTV also obtained the law firm’s letter dated September 9, 2025 that was sent to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
At that time, the letter alleged that the sheriff’s office could be liable because Ikner, who was also identified as the stepson of LCSO Deputy Jessica Ikner, was allowed to participate and lead LCSO’s Youth Advisory Council, was allegedly taught about and around firearms and displayed behavior that should’ve raised concerns.
“Mr. Ikner was not mentally stable and should not be around guns, much less taught how to use them,” the law firm wrote in its letter to LCSO. “The Leon County Sheriff’s Office’s handling of Mr. Ikner, as described more fully herein, was at least part of the cause of the murder of Mr. Robert Morales.”
Furthermore, the letter alleges negligence by Deputy Jessica Ikner for allegedly allowing and encouraging access to weapons, including a retired service weapon.
WCTV has reached out to the sheriff’s office for a statement and is waiting to hear back.
Ikner is accused of killing two people and injuring several others after he allegedly opened fire at FSU’s Student Union on April 17.
Nearly two months after the shooting happened, the state filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Ikner.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.