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Canada’s British Columbia province has sued OpenAI, alleging that the company failed to notify police about the suspect’s concerning activity on “ChatGPT” months before a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge in February, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint, filed Monday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, names OpenAI and Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman as defendants. British Columbia is seeking compensation for costs related to the attack and an order requiring changes to the way the company identifies and responds to threats of violence.
Eight people killed in February attack
Eight people were killed in the Feb. 10 shooting, Canada’s deadliest school shooting since 1989. The alleged shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed her mother and stepbrother at their home before killing an educational assistant and five children at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
More than two dozen people were also injured, according to the British Columbia government. Van Rootselaar later died by suicide.
Lawsuit alleges missed warning signs
The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI’s safety team flagged Van Rootselaar’s conversations about gun violence months before the attack but did not notify police or local authorities.
OpenAI deactivated her account, but Van Rootselaar later created another account and continued using the service, the lawsuit claims.
British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma said the case raises questions about the responsibilities of technology companies when they become aware of credible threats of serious violence.
“The people of Tumbler Ridge have endured an unimaginable loss, and they deserve answers and accountability,” Sharma said in a statement Monday.
Sharma said OpenAI had not taken “meaningful steps” to address concerns raised by survivors, families and the wider community. She added that the company still had an opportunity to demonstrate accountability by strengthening safeguards, improving transparency and taking concrete action to help prevent similar tragedies.
OpenAI faces more than 30 related cases
Altman apologised in April, saying he was “deeply sorry” that OpenAI had not contacted law enforcement. He also promised changes to the company’s safety practices.
The province’s lawsuit follows more than 30 cases filed by victims’ families, survivors and others affected by the shooting.
