Families Sue OpenAI Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting
Families of victims from the Tumbler Ridge school shooting have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging the company failed to report the shooter's concerning ChatGPT interactions to authorities.
Families of victims from the February school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, alleging the company failed to alert law enforcement about the shooter's concerning interactions with the chatbot months prior to the attack. The lawsuits, filed in U.S. federal court, include claims of negligence, wrongful death, and product liability.
The shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed eight people, including her mother, stepbrother, five children, and an educator, before taking her own life. OpenAI had banned Van Rootselaar's ChatGPT account in June 2025 for violating its usage policy related to violent activities but did not notify authorities at the time, believing the behavior did not warrant referral.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman issued a public apology, stating, "I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June." He added, "While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered."
The lawsuits seek damages and policy reforms to prevent future tragedies, including changes in OpenAI's protocols to notify authorities when users pose a credible threat.
