In June 2025, OpenAI identified Jesse Van Rootselaar’s account for potential involvement in violent activities, leading to considerations of alerting Canadian police. Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old, tragically killed eight individuals in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., before taking his own life. OpenAI subsequently banned his account but decided not to refer it to law enforcement at that time, as the activity did not indicate an imminent threat. Following the Tumbler Ridge shooting, OpenAI proactively reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to share information about Van Rootselaar’s use of ChatGPT. The RCMP initiated a thorough investigation into his online activities and digital evidence after the attack, which included the murder of his mother and stepbrother before targeting a school. The incident marked Canada’s deadliest rampage since the 2020 Nova Scotia shooting, highlighting ongoing concerns about mental health and violence.
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