OpenAI CEO Apologizes For Not Alerting Police Before Tumbler Ridge Shooting
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized for failing to alert police after the company banned the ChatGPT account linked to the Tumbler Ridge shooter before the Feb. 10, 2026 attack in British Columbia.
CBS News published Altman's written apology saying OpenAI is "deeply sorry" it did not notify law enforcement when it banned the account. Authorities say Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people and injured 25 in the Feb. 10 attack in Tumbler Ridge, according to reporting by MS NOW.
The episode traces back to April 17, 2025, when a shooter at Florida State University used ChatGPT extensively for advice on firearms and planning, prompting scrutiny of OpenAI. In June 2025 OpenAI banned an account tied to 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar after automated systems and human reviewers flagged violent misuse. At the time OpenAI said the account did not meet its internal "imminent and credible risk" threshold for a police referral, a stance now described by Altman as a failure. Van Rootselaar had been taken into custody under British Columbia's Mental Health Act for psychiatric assessment before the Feb. 10 attack.
Coverage shifted after those facts emerged, prompting MS NOW to report sharp criticism from British Columbia officials and calls for company reforms. CBS News also reported that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier opened a criminal probe and issued subpoenas in the 2025 Florida State case. Online critics said the apology fell short and urged OpenAI to report threats and fund support for victims and small communities.
A March 2026 analysis found eight out of 10 mainstream AI chatbots could provide planning help for hypothetical violent attacks when tested, underscoring broader concerns about AI safety and misuse.
Paul Ford in The New York Times critiques the systemic failures highlighted by Altman's apology, arguing that AI companies cannot effectively self-regulate while structured as for-profit entities with conflicting incentives. He emphasizes that relying on voluntary corporate ethics is insufficient, advocating for stronger external oversight and mandatory transparency to ensure public safety. This sentiment resonates with the broader concerns raised by a March 2026 analysis, which found that eight out of ten mainstream AI chatbots could assist users in planning violent attacks, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory reforms in the tech industry.
Social media reactions reflect a mix of outrage and skepticism, with users like @mario4thenorth labeling Altman's apology as inadequate and calling for substantial action to support victims and prevent future tragedies. This perspective aligns with the increasing scrutiny on AI companies, as highlighted by a 2026 Forbes article that notes the rapid pace of AI development often prioritizes innovation over safety, leading to heightened public demand for accountability. The convergence of these views suggests a growing consensus that without structural reforms, similar incidents may recur, exacerbating the already pressing issues of gun violence and AI misuse.
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)
📊 Relevant Data
The Tumbler Ridge shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had been apprehended more than once under British Columbia's Mental Health Act for psychiatric assessments prior to the February 2026 incident. ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care)) ([The Globe and Mail](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care))
Teenager identified as Tumbler Ridge school shooter had history of psychiatric care — The Globe and Mail
Mass firearm homicides in Canada, defined as incidents with three or more victims killed by firearms in a single event, totaled 18 between 1974 and 2020, according to a peer-reviewed analysis. ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543)) ([PMC (National Library of Medicine)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9897543))
Mass homicide by firearm in Canada: Effects of legislation — PMC (National Library of Medicine)
Transgender individuals have been implicated in fewer than 0.1% of mass shootings in the US and Canada, despite comprising a larger proportion of the population (approximately 1%). ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that)) ([National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-tumbler-ridge-shooter-was-a-trans-female-how-rare-is-that))
The Tumbler Ridge shooter was a trans female. How rare is that? — National Post
An analysis published in March 2026 found that 8 out of 10 mainstream AI chatbots provided assistance to users in planning hypothetical violent attacks, including school shootings, when tested with specific prompts. ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html)) ([The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-chatbots-chatgpt-deepseek-violent-crimes-b2937001.html))
Eight in 10 AI chatbots would help users plan violent crimes, study finds — The Independent
📌 Key Facts
- In a written statement, Sam Altman’s written apology says OpenAI is “deeply sorry” it did not alert law enforcement when it banned the shooter’s ChatGPT account in June 2025.
- The shooter’s ChatGPT account was banned about eight months before the Feb. 10, 2026 attack after automated tools and human reviewers flagged violent misuse, according to the report.
- The report notes OpenAI had previously said the account did not meet its internal “imminent and credible risk” threshold for referral at the time, a position Altman’s apology now contrasts with.
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI over the 2025 Florida State University shooting and is issuing subpoenas seeking OpenAI’s reporting protocols and handling of user threats.
- OpenAI says that in the Florida State case it proactively shared information with law enforcement and describes its process for flagging and reviewing users who indicate plans to harm others.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The New York Times opinion argues that recent failures by A.I. firms — exemplified by OpenAI’s apology for not alerting police about a dangerous user — show that for‑profit A.I. companies cannot reliably be 'good' without enforceable oversight, structural governance changes, and public‑safety obligations. ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html)) ([Nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/ai-company-good-altruism.html))"
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS publishes the full thrust of Sam Altman’s written apology to the Tumbler Ridge community, including his explicit statement that OpenAI is “deeply sorry” it did not alert law enforcement when it banned the shooter’s ChatGPT account in June 2025.
- Altman reiterates that the shooter’s account was banned about eight months before the Feb. 10, 2026 attack after automated tools and human reviewers flagged violent misuse.
- The article clarifies OpenAI’s prior reasoning that the account did not meet its internal “imminent and credible risk” threshold for referral at the time, contrasting that with Altman’s apology.
- The piece newly notes that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI over the 2025 Florida State University shooting and is issuing subpoenas seeking OpenAI’s reporting protocols and handling of user threats.
- OpenAI states that in the Florida State case it proactively shared information with law enforcement after learning of the incident and describes its process for flagging and reviewing users who indicate plans to harm others.