B.C. Government Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI in Tumbler Ridge Shooting
The province says OpenAI failed to alert police after a flagged ChatGPT exchange, and it seeks damages and a new school for the community.
- On Monday, British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the province filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in California, alleging the company failed to alert police about an "alarming" ChatGPT conversation with the Tumbler Ridge shooter before the February 10, 2026, attack.
- Internal safety teams previously flagged 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar for concerning ChatGPT activity involving gun violence scenarios, but leadership chose not to report these interactions to law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.
- The February 10 shooting killed eight people, including six children, and injured two dozen others; this claim joins 36 other lawsuits filed in California by victims and families against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman.
- Seeking compensation for community rebuilding, including a new school, Sharma asserts that "there is no AI exemption to those criminal law principles" and demands injunctive relief to prevent future harms.
- OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri denied the allegations, stating the company trains models to refuse requests that "meaningfully enable violence" and remains committed to collaborating with law enforcement on safety work.
166 Articles
166 Articles
The Canadian province of British Columbia has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the American AI company behind ChatGPT, and its CEO Sam...
Province alleges company failed to alert police after safety team flagged shooter's violent ChatGPT conversations months before attack
B.C. sues OpenAI over Tumbler Ridge mass shooting
The British Columbia government has launched a lawsuit against OpenAI in California, alleging the artificial intelligence company failed to alert police about troubling interactions between ChatGPT and the person responsible for the February mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge.
The province calls for requiring OpenAI to change its approach to handling chatbot conversations that can lead to violence.
British Columbia Takes OpenAI to Court Over ChatGPT's Role in Deadly School Shooting
British Columbia has sued OpenAI and Sam Altman in California, alleging the company failed to alert police despite its safety team flagging Jesse Van Rootselaar's violent ChatGPT conversations months before the February 2026 Tumbler Ridge school shooting that killed eight. The suit seeks damages for recovery costs including a new school and court orders for safety changes.
The Independent
The Independent (US)OpenAI sued over school shooting
Lawsuit alleges the AI firm failed to tell law enforcement that the shooter had used ChatGPT to plan the massacre.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
