Saturday, February 21, 2026

OpenAI Aware of Mass Shooter’s Violent ChatGPT Queries, Opted Not to Alert Authorities: Report

A recent report from the Wall Street Journal revealed troubling interactions between OpenAI employees and transgender mass shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar, months before his violent acts in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Around a dozen employees flagged concerning chats with Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT interactions, which included violent scenarios. OpenAI’s policy mandated alerting authorities only if there was an imminent threat, leading to internal debates regarding police involvement. On February 10, Van Rootselaar, 18, tragically killed multiple family members and students before taking his own life, injuring 25 others. Despite prior visits from police due to his mental health issues, OpenAI stated that Van Rootselaar’s chatbot usage did not warrant law enforcement notification. Following the tragedy, OpenAI contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to assist with their investigation. The company emphasized the importance of balancing privacy concerns with the need to prevent harm, reflecting on their chatbot’s objective to discourage real-world violence.

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