Florida AG Launches Sweeping OpenAI Probe Tied to FSU Shooting and National Security Fears

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the investigation on Thursday after attorneys for a victim of the April 17, 2025 Florida State University mass shooting said they would sue OpenAI. The suit claims the accused gunman had "constant communication" with ChatGPT while planning the attack that killed two and wounded five. Uthmeier’s office confirmed that subpoenas are "forthcoming" as investigators seek internal logs and safety protocols from the ChatGPT maker.

Beyond the shooting, Uthmeier’s video statement broadened the probe to include fears that OpenAI’s models or user data could fall "into the hands of America’s enemies, such as the Chinese Communist Party." The AG also raised alarms over potential harm to minors, arguing that unregulated AI chatbots pose public-safety risks. The combination of violent crime, geopolitical tension and child-protection themes gives the investigation unusually wide political appeal across party lines.

Florida’s subpoena power under its Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act allows the AG to compel documents, emails and witness testimony without a prior court filing. Legal experts note the state can demand internal safety reviews, training-data sources, moderation policies and any communications with the accused FSU shooter. Failure to comply could result in daily fines or an injunction barring ChatGPT’s availability in Florida, though outright prohibition is viewed as unlikely.

Multiple outlets highlighted that the probe lands just as OpenAI reportedly prepares for an initial public offering that could value the company near $1 trillion. Investors told Reuters that regulatory overhang from a large state like Florida could complicate or delay the listing. Public filings require disclosure of material legal risks; an active AG investigation qualifies, potentially chilling institutional appetite ahead of the roadshow.

Uthmeier’s office said formal subpoenas will be issued within "weeks," starting a discovery clock that typically runs 60-90 days in Florida administrative cases. Parallel civil suits from FSU victims’ families could follow, creating a multi-front legal siege reminiscent of past social-media liability battles. Policy watchers expect Florida lawmakers to fast-track bills expanding the AG’s authority over AI firms, with hearings possible before the 2027 legislative session.