OpenAI boss 'deeply sorry' for not telling police of mass shooting suspect's account
Published: (April 24, 2026 at 06:45 PM EDT)
3 min read
Source: BBC Technology
Source: BBC Technology
Apology from OpenAI
Sam Altman, co‑founder and chief executive of OpenAI, sent a letter to the community of Tumbler Ridge on Thursday apologising for the company’s failure to alert police about a ChatGPT account that belonged to the shooter. Altman wrote that he was “deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June.”
“The pain your community has endured is unimaginable,” Altman wrote.
“While I know that words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered.”
“I cannot imagine anything worse in this world than losing a child.”
Background of the Shooting
- In January, an 18‑year‑old shooter killed eight people and injured nearly 30 others in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia – one of the province’s deadliest mass shootings.
- The attack was carried out by Jesse Van Rootselaar, who died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound during the incident.
- Several of the victims were children at a secondary school.
OpenAI’s Actions and Decision‑Making
- OpenAI identified and banned Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account in June because of “problematic usage.”
- The company did not refer the matter to police at the time, stating that the account did not meet its threshold for a credible or imminent plan for serious physical harm.
- In the apology letter, Altman explained that a public apology was delayed to “respect the community as you grieved.”
Legal Developments
- The parents of a child who was severely injured in the school attack have sued OpenAI, alleging that the company had specific knowledge of the shooter’s long‑range planning but took no action.
- OpenAI confirmed the letter was written by Altman but declined further comment.
OpenAI’s Future Commitments
- The company says it will strengthen its safety measures.
- Altman indicated that OpenAI will continue to work with all levels of government to help ensure that “something like this never happens again.”
Related Investigations
- OpenAI is also facing a criminal probe in Florida concerning the use of ChatGPT by a man accused of carrying out a shooting at Florida State University last year, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries.