British Columbia plans lawsuit against OpenAI over school shooter's ChatGPT activity

OpenAI had banned an account linked to Van Rootselaar in June 2025, months before the 18-year-old killed eight people at her home and a school. Canadian families affected by the February shooting have already filed lawsuits against OpenAI in California. British Columbia's Attorney General Niki Sharma stated the province seeks to hold OpenAI accountable for not notifying law enforcement of the violent prompts prior to the tragedy.

The province is coordinating with the families and has retained legal counsel in both Canada and California, aiming to secure funds for community rebuilding, including a new school in Tumbler Ridge. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized in April, acknowledging the company did not alert law enforcement to the banned account. OpenAI stated it did not report the account at the time of suspension due to a lack of evidence of an imminent attack, but noted that under updated security guidelines, such an account would now be reported.

Lawyers for the families suing in California claim OpenAI remained silent because reporting one case would lead to reporting thousands, and that the company advises users on how to circumvent suspensions for dangerous behavior. Van Rootselaar killed her mother and brother before proceeding to the local secondary school, where she shot f