RCMP Confirms OpenAI Contacted Police Regarding Tumbler Ridge Shooter's ChatGPT Account
The British Columbia RCMP has officially confirmed that artificial intelligence company OpenAI reached out to investigators following last week's devastating mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge. This revelation comes as new details emerge about how the company monitored the shooter's online activities prior to the tragedy.
Employee Concerns Raised But Deemed Insufficient for Immediate Action
According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, which first broke this story, an OpenAI employee had previously voiced concerns about content within teenage shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar's ChatGPT account. However, these concerns were evaluated and determined not to meet the established threshold for what constitutes a credible or imminent plan for serious physical harm to others.
Staff Sgt. Kris Clark stated in an email on Saturday that "as part of the investigation, digital and physical evidence is being collected, prioritized, and methodically processed." He further confirmed that "this includes a thorough review of the content on electronic devices, as well as social media and online activities. I can also confirm that OpenAI reached out to the RCMP after the incident."
Background of the Tumbler Ridge Tragedy
The 18-year-old Van Rootselaar shot and killed eight people, including children at their school, before taking his own life. The victims included:
- Five youths at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School: Abel Mwansa (12), Zoey Benoit (12), Kylie Smith (12), Ezekiel Schofield (13), and Ticaria Lampert (12)
- Educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand (39)
- Emmett Jacobs (11) and Jennifer Jacobs (39), Van Rootselaar's stepbrother and mother
Police indicate that Van Rootselaar used two firearms to shoot his family members at home before proceeding to the school to continue his rampage. A clear motive for the shooting spree remains elusive to investigators.
OpenAI's Previous Actions Regarding the Shooter's Account
Although OpenAI did not alert authorities before the shooting occurred, the company did take action against Van Rootselaar's account in June 2025 when it was flagged for promoting violent content. The account was subsequently banned at that time, according to available reports.
With no confession left by the shooter, investigators are meticulously examining all possible factors that may have contributed to the tragedy. The RCMP has stated that they are investigating circumstances surrounding the shooting as well as attempting to determine the underlying motive.
Digital Footprint and Online Activities Under Scrutiny
Further investigation has revealed additional aspects of Van Rootselaar's online presence. Four years prior to the shooting, his mother Jennifer Strang—who was among those killed in the attack—had promoted her son's YouTube channel in a Facebook post, noting that her child "posts about hunting, self-reliance, guns."
Additionally, a TikTok account using the same profile image under the username "jessestrangg" had reposted several videos featuring 28-year-old Audrey Hale, who in March 2023 shot and killed six students after opening fire at a Christian school in Nashville.
The RCMP continues its comprehensive investigation into this tragedy, examining both physical and digital evidence to piece together the events leading up to one of British Columbia's most devastating school shootings in recent memory.
