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OpenAI CEO Apologizes for Unreported Online Threat
25 Apr
Summary
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized for not alerting authorities about a user's online behavior.
- The user was banned in June after OpenAI detected activity promoting violent acts.
- A B.C. Premier called the apology necessary but insufficient for the community's devastation.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has formally apologized for not alerting law enforcement to the online conduct of an individual who committed a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. In a letter dated February 15, 2026, Altman expressed deep regret for the oversight, stating, "I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June."
The shooting, which occurred on February 10, 2026, resulted in the deaths of eight people, including children and an educator, and injured twenty-five others. The alleged shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, also died by suicide following the attack.
OpenAI had identified Van Rootselaar's account in June 2025 due to its involvement in "furtherance of violent activities." While the company considered reporting the activity to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, it concluded that the behavior did not meet the threshold for referral at that time.
British Columbia Premier David Eby had previously suggested that OpenAI could have prevented the tragedy. In his apology, Altman conveyed his condolences to the community and committed to collaborating with governments to prevent future incidents. Eby acknowledged the apology as necessary but stressed its inadequacy given the devastation suffered by the victims' families.
