Canada Probes OpenAI Over School Shooting Suspect’s Account

Canada is demanding answers from OpenAI regarding its handling of the ChatGPT account belonging to Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old responsible for the February 10, 2026, school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that left eight people dead. The incident has sparked a debate about the responsibility of AI companies to proactively alert authorities to potential threats identified through their platforms.

Account Suspended Months Before Attack

OpenAI suspended Van Rootselaar’s account in June 2025, after an automated review system flagged concerning activity related to “the furtherance of violent activities.” However, the company did not notify Canadian law enforcement at the time. According to the Wall Street Journal, the shooter had been describing violent scenarios involving guns to ChatGPT for several days prior to the suspension. OpenAI determined the activity did not constitute “credible or imminent planning” and opted to ban the account instead of contacting authorities. Source

Government Response and Investigation

Canada’s artificial intelligence minister, Evan Solomon, expressed being “deeply disturbed” by OpenAI’s decision. He has summoned representatives from the company to Ottawa to explain their protocols for escalating potential threats to law enforcement. Source Solomon seeks clarification on how OpenAI assesses the credibility and imminence of threats and under what circumstances it will proactively engage with police.

OpenAI’s Response

Following the shooting, OpenAI stated that its employees contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to provide information about Van Rootselaar and their use of ChatGPT. Source The company also indicated it had considered alerting the police last year but ultimately did not.

The Tumbler Ridge Shooting

On February 10, 2026, Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The victims included five students, aged 12 to 13, and a 39-year-old teaching assistant. Prior to the school attack, Van Rootselaar killed her mother and half-brother at their home. Source

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI suspended the account of the Tumbler Ridge shooter in June 2025 due to violent content.
• The company did not notify Canadian authorities at the time, citing a lack of evidence of “credible or imminent planning.”
• Canada’s AI minister has summoned OpenAI representatives to explain the company’s decision-making process.
• The incident raises questions about the responsibility of AI companies to prevent real-world harm.

This investigation comes as governments worldwide grapple with the ethical and security implications of increasingly powerful AI technologies. The outcome of Canada’s probe could set a precedent for how AI companies are expected to respond to potential threats identified on their platforms.