The Province of British Columbia has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in California, accusing the company of failing to notify law enforcement about credible threats made on its ChatGPT platform prior to the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on February 10, 2026. This incident resulted in the deaths of six schoolchildren and two adults, including a female educator. The 18-year-old shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, died by suicide after the attack. The lawsuit seeks accountability from OpenAI for its alleged negligence.
Attorney General Niki Sharma stated that the province is pursuing legal action to obtain answers and justice for the victims and the Tumbler Ridge community. The lawsuit highlights serious questions about the responsibilities of technology companies regarding public safety when aware of threats on their platforms. OpenAI reportedly banned Van Rootselaar's account in June 2025 after she used ChatGPT to create gun violence scenarios but allegedly did not alert authorities, a detail that was reportedly raised by OpenAI staff internally.
The B.C. government has hired law firms CFM Lawyers in Vancouver and Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, with an office in Oakland, California, to pursue this case. The province is also seeking damages to cover the costs of building a new school in Tumbler Ridge and other expenses incurred due to the tragedy. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby previously announced a $200 million joint investment, with $100 million from each government, for a new school and health center upgrades. This lawsuit is separate from, but coordinated with, civil claims filed by victims' families against OpenAI in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Sharma emphasized British Columbia's history of holding powerful corporations accountable for harm. She also urged for stronger national safeguards for artificial intelligence technologies and online platforms, stating that laws and safety frameworks must keep pace with technological evolution. The province maintains that OpenAI has not taken meaningful steps to address concerns or demonstrate accountability to prevent similar future tragedies.
