OpenAI Faced Dilemma Over Alerting Police to Canadian School Shooter

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, considered notifying the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in June 2025 about the online activity of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old responsible for the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in February 2026. The company ultimately decided not to alert authorities, as the activity did not meet its threshold for reporting an “imminent and credible risk” of serious physical harm.

Account Flagged for “Furtherance of Violent Activities”

OpenAI detected Van Rootselaar’s account through automated tools and human investigations identifying “misuses of our models in furtherance of violent activities,” according to a statement provided to CBC News. The company banned the account for violating its usage policy. Although, at the time, the activity did not reach the level required to trigger a direct notification to law enforcement.

The Tumbler Ridge Shooting

On February 10, 2026, Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people, including five children and an education assistant at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, before taking her own life. Prior to the school shooting, Van Rootselaar killed her mother and stepbrother at their home. The RCMP confirmed that Van Rootselaar had a history of mental health contacts with police.

OpenAI’s Response After the Shooting

Following the shooting, OpenAI proactively contacted the RCMP and offered information regarding Van Rootselaar’s use of ChatGPT. The RCMP is currently conducting a thorough review of electronic devices, social media activity, and online activity as part of their investigation.

Threshold for Law Enforcement Notification

OpenAI’s policy dictates that a referral to law enforcement requires evidence of an “imminent and credible risk” of serious physical harm. The company stated it did not identify any credible or imminent planning in Van Rootselaar’s activity prior to the shooting.