An account linked to Jesse VanRootelsar, the Tumbler Ridge shooter, was flagged by ChatGPT in June 2025 for abuse as part of detection and enforcement efforts. VanRootelsar killed eight people on February 10, including her mother and half-brother at home, followed by five students and an educator at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Authorities later confirmed she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the school.

OpenAI’s Proactive Measures

A spokesperson for OpenAI, ChatGPT’s parent company, expressed condolences: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Tumbler Ridge tragedy.” The company revealed it proactively contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with details on the individual’s ChatGPT usage and pledged ongoing support for the investigation.

Officials stated the account, associated with VanRootelsar, was banned in June for policy violations. Although referral to law enforcement was considered, the activity did not meet the threshold for imminent and credible risk or planning of serious physical harm to others.

OpenAI emphasized its commitment to user safety, noting that over-enforcement could distress young individuals and families, such as unannounced police visits. ChatGPT is trained to discourage real-world harm in dangerous scenarios and offer guidance to prevent immediate physical injury.

Actions by Online Platforms

VanRootelsar’s online presence drew scrutiny after the shooting. YouTube’s Trust and Safety teams identified and removed a channel linked to the suspect, in line with Creator Responsibility Guidelines.

Roblox, a popular gaming platform, also acted swiftly. “We have removed the user account connected to this horrifying incident as well as any content associated with the suspect,” a spokesperson stated. “We are committed to fully supporting law enforcement in their investigation.” The account and its content were deleted on February 11, 2026.