OpenAI Banned Suspect's ChatGPT Account Prior to British Columbia Shooting
OpenAI banned a ChatGPT account owned by Jesse Van Rootselaar, the suspect in a mass shooting in British Columbia, more than six months before the attack occurred.
The AI company stated that in June 2025, it identified an account linked to Van Rootselaar through its abuse and enforcement detection systems, which are designed to detect accounts used to promote violence.
Despite this identification, OpenAI did not notify authorities at that time because the account's activity did not meet the company's threshold for a credible or imminent threat of serious physical harm to others.
Following the tragic event, OpenAI expressed condolences to those affected and confirmed it had "proactively" shared information about the suspect with Canadian police.
Details of the Attack and Investigation
Van Rootselaar is suspected of fatally shooting eight people in rural Tumbler Ridge on 12 February, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Canadian history.
According to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story, approximately a dozen OpenAI staff members debated whether to take action regarding Van Rootselaar's posts.
Some employees perceived the suspect's use of the AI tool as a potential indicator of real-world violence and urged company leaders to alert law enforcement.
However, the company's leadership ultimately decided against notifying authorities at that time.
OpenAI's Statement on the Incident
In an official statement, an OpenAI spokesperson said:
"In June 2025, we proactively identified an account associated with this individual [Jesse Van Rootselaar] via our abuse detection and enforcement efforts, which include automated tools and human investigations to identify misuses of our models in furtherance of violent activities."
The spokesperson added that OpenAI would continue to support the police investigation.
The BBC has reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for comment.
OpenAI's Policies on Reporting and Safety Measures
OpenAI maintains a policy of alerting authorities only when there is an imminent risk, citing concerns that broader notifications could lead to unintended harm.
The company also trains ChatGPT to discourage imminent real-world harm by refusing to assist users attempting to use the service for illegal activities.
OpenAI emphasized that it regularly reviews its referral criteria with experts and is currently reassessing this case to identify potential improvements.
Additional Information on the Tumbler Ridge Attack
The deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School resulted in 27 additional injuries.
Van Rootselaar was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the school. Police reported that the suspect was born biologically male but identified as a woman.
Among the victims were Van Rootselaar's mother and step-brother, who were discovered dead at a local residence.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown.
