B.C. launches lawsuit against OpenAI over Tumbler Ridge mass shooting

B.C.’s attorney general promised Monday to get “answers and accountability” for the grieving community of Tumbler Ridge as the province filed a lawsuit against OpenAI over a mass shooting at the town’s high school.

Niki Sharma said the said the aim is to fight for stronger regulations on AI after the company spotted red flags about the shooter’s online activity in the days leading up to the Feb. 10 shootings by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar.

The shooting left eight people dead, most of them 12 and 13 year old students at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Van Rootselaar’s mother and stepbrother were also killed at their home, while the shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound as police descended on the school.

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Soon after, OpenAI went public with news that it had flagged Van Rootselaar’s online behaviour in the days leading up to the mass shooting, but failed to contact authorities as accounts linked to Van Rootselaar were shut down due to violent and troubling content.

“The people of Tumbler Ridge have endured an unimaginable loss, and they deserve answers and accountability,” said Sharma in a prepared statement.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to achieve that, British Columbia is filing a lawsuit against OpenAI in California for its failure to notify law enforcement of threats made on its platform before the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

“This action is an important step toward seeking justice for the families, students, educators and community members whose lives were forever changed by the events of Feb. 10, 2026. The province is working closely with the board of education for SD59 Peace River South as this matter proceeds through the courts.”

Sharma said the lawsuit “raises serious questions about the responsibilities of technology companies when they become aware of credible threats of serious violence, and the actions that should be taken to help protect people and ensure public safety.”