Family of Tumbler Ridge shooting victim sues OpenAI alleging they could’ve prevented attack

The family of a child injured in the Tumbler Ridge, Canada school shooting is suing OpenAI, alleging the company could have prevented the attack. The lawsuit follows a mass shooting on February 10th where an 18-year-old killed eight people, including five students. The shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had previously described violent scenarios to ChatGPT, which were flagged by an automated system, but OpenAI did not notify authorities, deeming the activity not a "credible or imminent" threat. The lawsuit, filed by Cia Edmonds on behalf of herself and her daughters, seeks accountability and redress for the harms suffered, claiming OpenAI rushed ChatGPT to market without adequate safety measures. The family is seeking undisclosed punitive damages for the company's alleged reprehensible conduct.

The family of a 12-year-old girl critically injured in a February school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada, is suing OpenAI. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI knew the shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, had discussed plans for violence with ChatGPT but failed to alert authorities. OpenAI had banned an initial account linked to Rootselaar in June 2025 after employees flagged concerning conversations, but the suspect was able to open a second account. The lawsuit claims OpenAI had specific knowledge of the shooter's planning but did not act on it, resulting in the girl's severe injuries. OpenAI stated they are committed to making changes to prevent similar tragedies, but previously said the account did not meet the threshold of a credible or imminent plan.