Tumbler Ridge Shooter’s ChatGPT Activity Flagged Months Before Tragedy
OpenAI confirms that an account connected to the Tumbler Ridge shooter was identified and banned for abuse six months before the attack. Tumbler Ridge shooter ChatGPT activity raised internal alarms at the company in June 2025. Jesse VanRootselaar killed eight people on February 10, including her mother, half-brother, five students, and an educator. She died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. OpenAI proactively reached out to the RCMP after the tragedy with information about the individual’s account activity.
Internal Review and Threshold Decisions
The company considered referring the account to law enforcement when they banned it last June. However, they determined the activity did not meet the higher threshold required for such referrals. OpenAI’s policy requires an imminent and credible risk of serious physical harm to others. The company found no evidence of credible or imminent planning at that time. Over-enforcement can be distressing for young people and their families if police show up unannounced. OpenAI states it trains ChatGPT to discourage real-world harm and provide advice for safety instead.
Other Platforms Take Action
YouTube and Roblox also removed content associated with the shooter following the incident. YouTube identified and removed a channel in accordance with its Creator Responsibility Guidelines. Roblox deleted the user account and any associated content on February 11. The shooter had reportedly created a shopping mall massacre simulation on the gaming platform. Both companies committed to fully supporting law enforcement investigations. RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris Clark confirmed that digital and physical evidence collection continues as part of the ongoing investigation.
Questions About Prevention and Response
The Wall Street Journal reported that a dozen employees asked superiors to alert Canadian authorities. OpenAI management decided against contacting police at that time, citing insufficient evidence of imminent threat. RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris Clark noted the Journal’s headline was “somewhat misleading.” The platform flagged the account internally but did not inform authorities until after the shooting. This raises complex questions about when technology companies should involve law enforcement. The balance between privacy, over-policing, and public safety remains difficult to navigate.
Community Grieving and Healing
The town of 2,700 people in the Canadian Rockies continues to mourn the tragedy. Twelve-year-old Maya Gebala remains unconscious in hospital after being shot in the head. Her family reports she continues to “defy every expectation” of doctors. Abel Mwansa’s family plans his funeral in Africa as they repatriate his remains. The community has rallied around victims’ families with support and donations. Vigils were held throughout British Columbia this weekend. The shooter’s father issued a statement expressing sorrow while noting he was estranged from Jesse’s life.
