Months before the deadly Tumbler Ridge school shooting in British Columbia, OpenAI identified and banned a ChatGPT account linked to suspect Jesse Van Rootselaar, according to internal reports. The account was flagged in 2025 after generating violent scenarios that triggered the company’s safety protocols, though employees debated whether to involve law enforcement at the time.
Balancing Safety and Privacy
OpenAI spokesperson Kayla Wood stated the company prioritizes balancing user privacy with public safety, opting to remove the account for policy violations rather than escalate the case. The decision has sparked debate about AI firms’ responsibilities in preempting real-world violence.
Aftermath and Investigation
Last week’s attack left eight dead across a residence and local high school before Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted gunshot. Following the incident, OpenAI provided Canadian authorities with data related to the suspect’s chatbot use. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed they are reviewing digital evidence, including online activity, as part of their ongoing probe.
Staff Sgt. Kris Clark noted investigators have conducted extensive witness interviews and launched an online portal for public evidence submissions. The RCMP emphasized that findings will be shared once the investigation concludes.
