Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) is demanding OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, face accountability after recent evidence surfaced showing Florida State University shooter Phoenix Ikner was in constant communication with the chatbot, which was allegedly helping him plan the attack.
Ikner shot and killed two men, wounding five others, on the Florida State University campus on April 17th, 2025, before being incapacitated and apprehended by law enforcement.
The law firm representing Robert Morales, one of Ikner's victims in the tragedy, announced that "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," the lawyers continued. "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."
Rep. Patronis issued a statement in response to the allegations, beginning by expressing his condolences to the victims' families, saying, "As a father, I can’t stop thinking about what those victims and their families are going through."
With the discovery of Ikner's constant correspondence with ChatGPT leading to concerns it might have helped him plan the shooting, Rep. Patronis emphasized, "That should raise serious red flags and is exactly why I’ve been fighting to repeal Section 230."
"For years, Big Tech has been allowed to profit from dangerous content with zero accountability, while victims are left with nowhere to turn," the Florida congressman continued. "The reality is that plaintiffs face an uphill battle, and as long as Section 230 stands, they’re denied the justice they deserve."
In January, Patronis introduced the Promoting Responsible Online Technology and Ensuring Consumer Trust (PROTECT) Act, which repeals Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in order to hold social media companies responsible for exposing users to harmful content though algorithms.
