School shooting survivor sues AI gun detection firm after system failed to spot weapon

A student injured in a January 2025 school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, is suing Omnilert, a company specializing in AI gun detection systems. The lawsuit claims the system failed to detect the handgun used in the attack, which resulted in two deaths, including the shooter.

Filed in Davidson County court, the lawsuit alleges that Omnilert either knew or should have known about significant operational limitations within its system. These limitations, including those related to camera placement, weapon proximity to sensors, camera angle, lighting, and weapon visibility, could lead to detection failures during emergencies. Omnilert cofounder Ara Bagdasarian and System Integrations, which resold the system, declined to comment on the lawsuit.

In 2023, the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Board approved a contract exceeding $1 million to integrate Omnilert's AI detection system into its existing security infrastructure. However, an MNPS spokesperson stated after the shooting that the imagery "wasn't close enough to get an accurate read and to activate that alarm" due to the shooter's position relative to the cameras.

The lawsuit frequently cites Omnilert's own marketing materials, preserved on the Internet Archive, asserting that the company exaggerated its product's capabilities. Omnilert had claimed its AI-powered visual gun detection "could have mitigated or prevented tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School" without mentioning false alarms, false positives, or any detection limitations.

Critics, including the plaintiff's attorney Chris Smith, question the effectiveness and ethical implications of such systems. Smith expressed skepticism about AI gun detection, comparing it to "Tesla's self-driving" and arguing it's "not ready for prime time." He also highlighted that public funds spent on these systems could be better allocated to other resources, like counselors for students in crisis.

This lawsuit is believed to be the first of its kind against an AI gun detection company, according to Smith. He emphasized its importance in raising awareness about the broader issues surrounding these technologies beyond the individual injuries sustained.