British Columbia to Sue OpenAI Over ChatGPT's Link to Deadly School Shooting

British Columbia to Sue OpenAI Over ChatGPT's Link to Deadly School Shooting

The government of Canada's western province of British Columbia has announced plans to file a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of failing to alert law enforcement after identifying violent activity on ChatGPT linked to the perpetrator of the deadly Tumbler Ridge school shooting.

The announcement comes months after one of the worst school tragedies in the province's history, which claimed eight lives and devastated the small mining community.

British Columbia Preparing Legal Action Against OpenAI

Speaking on Tuesday, British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma confirmed that the province is working with legal teams in both Canada and California to pursue legal action against OpenAI.

The provincial government is also coordinating its case with families of the victims, who have already filed lawsuits against the AI company in a California federal court.

According to Sharma, the province intends to hold OpenAI accountable for allegedly failing to notify authorities after detecting violent prompts submitted through ChatGPT by the shooter before the attack.

«"British Columbia has never shied away from taking on powerful corporations when their actions cause harm to people and communities," Sharma said.»

She added that any financial compensation obtained through the lawsuit would help rebuild Tumbler Ridge, including supporting the construction of a new school and assisting the affected community.

OpenAI Banned the Account Months Before the Attack

The lawsuit centers on the actions of Jesse Van Rootselaar, whose ChatGPT account was reportedly banned in June 2025 for violent activity.

Months later, in February 2026, the 18-year-old carried out a horrific attack in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.

Authorities said Van Rootselaar first killed her mother and brother at their family home before going to the local secondary school, where five students and one teacher were fatally shot.

The attacker later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after police entered the school.

Sam Altman Apologized to the Community

In April, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman issued a public apology to the people of Tumbler Ridge, expressing regret that the company did not inform law enforcement after banning the account.

"I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June," Altman wrote.

He acknowledged the irreversible loss suffered by the community and said the company had since strengthened its safety procedures.

OpenAI Says Policy Has Changed

OpenAI previously stated that it did not contact police because, at the time, investigators found no evidence suggesting an imminent attack.

However, the company has since updated its safety protocols and says that under its current policies, the same account would now be reported to law enforcement.

Families Claim OpenAI Chose Silence

Lawyers representing victims' families argue that OpenAI deliberately avoided notifying authorities because reporting one dangerous user could have required reporting many others.

The lawsuit also alleges that users whose accounts are suspended for dangerous behavior receive guidance on how to regain access, including information about bypassing the standard 30-day suspension period.

Those allegations remain part of ongoing legal proceedings.

Community Seeks Accountability

British Columbia officials say the lawsuit is not only about financial compensation but also about ensuring technology companies are held responsible when their decisions may have serious public safety consequences.

The legal process is expected to take time, but provincial leaders say they are committed to pursuing accountability while supporting families and rebuilding the Tumbler Ridge community.

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