The Role of AI in Mass Shootings

A Disturbing Pattern

For the most part, artificial intelligence (AI) has made daily life easier for millions of people. However, AI’s effects on mental health have become part of a broader discussion about how people interact with these systems, especially as concerns grow about emotional reliance on AI tools. Mass shootings in Tallahassee, Florida, and Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, have forced an uncomfortable but necessary conversation around the role of AI platforms and premeditated violence.

Just before noon on April 17, 2025, Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba were enjoying a sunny day in Florida State University’s (FSU’s) student union. An FSU student, Phoenix Ikner, entered the area with his stepmother’s handgun and opened fire. Morales and Chabba were hit. They didn’t survive.

According to authorities, this unspeakable tragedy began with ChatGPT. Ikner exchanged more than 13,000 messages with the AI chatbot over the course of a year. Many of them centered on how to commit acts of violence.

The most troubling messages came minutes before the shooting. Ikner asked ChatGPT how the US would react to a shooting at FSU. He also asked about the busiest times on campus. Some of his questions even centered on firearms. Specifically, Ikner asked ChatGPT how to take the safety off his shotgun. Three minutes later, he opened fire.

Unfortunately, the FSU case is not a one-of-a-kind scenario.

On February 10, 2026, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar shot nine people in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The dead included five children, an educational assistant at a local school, Rootselaar’s stepmother, brother, and herself.

In this case, OpenAI, the company that powers ChatGPT, had already taken action. OpenAI banned Van Rootselaar’s account in early summer of 2025 due to the violent content of her conversations with the chatbot.

However, in the eyes of some, OpenAI didn’t go far enough. First, they didn’t alert the authorities, claiming Van Rootselaar’s activity didn’t meet a threshold required to contact law enforcement. Second, OpenAI allowed her to create another account that she reportedly used to continue designing schemes featuring gun violence.

What OpenAI Knew and When

OpenAI faces fierce scrutiny for its response to the Tumbler Ridge shooting. A lawsuit alleges that about 12 employees flagged Rootselaar’s threat and recommended urgent police contact, but they were denied by leadership despite obvious danger.

The lawsuit also alleges that OpenAI designed the spring release of GPT-4 to be addictive. The chatbot’s ability to recall past conversations and tell users what they want to hear may encourage users to connect with it rather than a human therapist. Since ChatGPT doesn’t come with the kinds of safeguards a mental health professional could provide, the lawsuit argues it’s dangerous.

OpenAI’s Response

OpenAI spokesperson Kate Waters describes the FSU shooting as “a tragedy.” At the same time, she says, “But ChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime.”

She added that OpenAI reached out on its own to law enforcement after the shooting. The company volunteered information about the shooter’s account and continued to assist authorities as the investigation progressed.

Describing the platform, Waters says, “ChatGPT is a general-purpose tool used by hundreds of millions of people every day for legitimate purposes.” Waters added, “We work continuously to strengthen our safeguards to detect harmful intent, limit misuse, and respond appropriately when safety risks arise.”

Florida Takes OpenAI to Court

“If ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said as he launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its platform.

The office of Statewide Prosecution subpoenaed OpenAI, seeking a variety of internal documents, particularly those created between March 2024 and April 2026. Some include policies regarding when users threaten harm to themselves or others. They’ve also asked for documentation around procedures for reporting possible crimes to law enforcement.

The Bigger Picture: Children, Mental Health, and AI

Unfortunately, premeditated violence is not the only crime that AI has contributed to. It has also become a tool for creating and distributing exploitative content. The Internet Watch Foundation identified over 8,000 realistic, AI-generated videos and images depicting child sexual abuse material in 2025. A total of 65% of the AI-generated videos fell into category A, which is the most severe under UK law. For non-AI-generated videos, the amount of category A videos was only 43%.

However, predators using AI is only part of the problem. Children and teenagers turn to AI to vent emotions and seek guidance and support. While this alone isn’t dangerous, the fact that AI chatbots lack effective age verification creates an issue. Young people may get responses that encourage harmful thinking.

The Future of AI and How to Protect Your Kids

For AI companies, the incidents in Tallahassee and Tumbler Ridge will likely be a wake-up call. Now that people connect AI platforms with deadly consequences, AI organizations have been warned. As they continue to improve the safety of their platforms, it may get harder and harder for people to abuse chatbots.

In the meantime, here are some tips for keeping kids safe:

• Look out for warning signs, such as your children increasingly using their devices in secret, children distancing themselves from relationships with real people, or expressions of despair or hopelessness.
• Have open conversations about AI. Be clear with children that chatbots aren’t friends or confidants and discuss concerns around using AI chatbots as therapists so they understand the difference between real support and artificial interaction.
• Make rules about only using AI in common areas, such as the living room.
• Talk with your children about the effects of AI companions on young people, including how overreliance on virtual interactions can impact emotional development and real-world relationships.
• Check which AI accounts your child has and make sure any age-appropriate restrictions are in place.

It may be impossible to prevent your children from using AI altogether. It’s a common solution for creative project ideas, research, homework, and studying. But parents aren’t powerless. As you do with other technologies, you can establish standards that encourage healthy usage.

By making AI safety part of your family culture, you equip your children to make thoughtful decisions, stay protected, and contribute to a safer digital community for everyone.