OpenAI Banned Canada Shooting Suspect’s Account
OpenAI banned the ChatGPT account of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the suspect in the deadly Tumbler Ridge school shooting, months before the tragic event in February 2026.
The 18-year-old’s account was flagged in June 2025 after conversations describing violent scenarios triggered the company’s abuse-monitoring systems, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Following the detection of these conversations, OpenAI conducted internal safety reviews and debated whether to notify law enforcement.
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However, the company determined that the exchanges did not meet the threshold of an “imminent and credible risk” required for reporting. Consequently, the account was removed solely due to policy violations.
An OpenAI spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to balancing user privacy with public safety, aiming to avoid the negative consequences of overly broad referrals to authorities.
The shootings took place last week in rural Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, resulting in eight deaths across a family residence and a local secondary school. Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
After the incident, OpenAI proactively contacted Canadian authorities, sharing information about the suspect’s use of its chatbot to assist with the investigation. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Staff Sgt. Kris Clark confirmed in a statement to the Associated Press that the company reached out to police following the shootings.
The RCMP is conducting a thorough review of physical and digital evidence, including the suspect’s broader online and social media activity. Investigators have completed extensive witness interviews and launched an online portal to collect additional photos and videos related to the incident.