OpenAI identified a ChatGPT account linked to Jesse Van Rootselaar in June 2025, more than eight months before the suspect allegedly killed eight people in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The AI company flagged the account under its abuse and enforcement detection system, which monitors for accounts potentially used to further violence.

According to OpenAI, the account did not meet the company’s threshold for “credible or imminent risk of serious physical harm,” so authorities were not alerted at the time. A spokesperson said that following the attack on 12 February 2026, OpenAI “proactively” contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with information about the suspect and pledged ongoing support for the investigation.

The attack, one of the deadliest in Canada’s history, occurred at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and resulted in eight fatalities, including Van Rootselaar’s mother and step-brother, and injured 27 others. Van Rootselaar, who was born biologically male but identified as a woman, was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the school.

The Wall Street Journal reported that about a dozen OpenAI staffers debated whether to alert authorities after identifying concerning activity on the account. Some encouraged escalation, warning that the posts suggested real-world violence, but leadership ultimately decided against immediate reporting.

OpenAI emphasized that its policies are designed to alert law enforcement only when there is a clear and imminent threat. The company also trains ChatGPT to discourage users from causing real-world harm or engaging in illegal activity. OpenAI stated it continually reviews referral criteria with experts and is examining the Tumbler Ridge case for potential improvements to its safety protocols.