OpenAI Banned Account of Tumbler Ridge Shooter Months Before Attack, Didn’t Alert Authorities
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, banned the account associated with Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-classic responsible for the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in June 2025 – more than seven months before the tragic event on February 10, 2026. However, the company did not notify law enforcement at the time, citing that the activity did not meet the threshold for reporting an “imminent and credible risk” of serious harm.
Account Flagged for Violations, But No Immediate Threat Detected
According to a statement released to CBC News, OpenAI detected Van Rootselaar’s account through a combination of automated tools and human review, identifying “misuses of our models in furtherance of violent activities.” CBC News reports that the account was subsequently banned for violating OpenAI’s usage policy.
Despite flagging the account, OpenAI determined that the activity in June 2025 did not constitute an immediate threat. The company’s policy requires a “credible and imminent risk of serious physical harm” before notifying law enforcement. Global News detailed that the company considered alerting authorities but ultimately decided against it.
The Tumbler Ridge Shooting
On February 10, 2026, Jesse Van Rootselaar opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, killing five students and one education assistant. BBC News reported that Van Rootselaar also killed her mother and half-brother at their home before taking her own life. The shooting is one of the deadliest in Canadian history.
Internal Debate at OpenAI
The Wall Street Journal initially reported the story, revealing that approximately a dozen OpenAI employees debated whether to alert authorities about Van Rootselaar’s posts last June. Some staffers believed the posts indicated potential real-world violence and urged leadership to contact law enforcement. However, company leaders ultimately decided against it.
RCMP Investigation and OpenAI’s Response
Following the shooting, OpenAI proactively contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and offered to cooperate with the investigation. The Star reported that the RCMP is conducting a thorough review of digital and physical evidence, including the shooter’s online activity.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris Clark stated that the investigation includes collecting and processing digital and physical evidence, as well as reviewing social media and online activities. Authorities are also working to determine the origins of the firearms used in the shooting, particularly one that had not been previously seized by police.
Concerns About Over-Reporting and Privacy
OpenAI explained that it is cautious about referring cases to law enforcement due to concerns about causing undue distress to individuals and families, as well as potential privacy implications. The company stated that frequent referrals could also “introduce unintended harm.”
Ongoing Policy Review
OpenAI stated that it regularly reviews its policies regarding alerting law enforcement and did not indicate whether the Tumbler Ridge incident would prompt a specific review of those policies.