'Can't Imagine Anything Worse': Sam Altman Apologises After OpenAI Failed To Flag Canada Mass Shooter

Last Updated:April 25, 2026, 16:11 IST

OpenAI said after the shooting that the teen’s account had been flagged internally in June for misuse “in furtherance of violent activities”.

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman apologised for the company’s failure to alert authorities about the troubling online activity of a teenager who later carried out one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings.

In a letter, Sam Altman said OpenAI should have contacted law enforcement after suspending the ChatGPT account of Jesse Van Rootselaar months before the February 10 attack in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.

“I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June," Sam Altman wrote, adding, “While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered."

Read more: ‘Training A Human Takes 20 Years Of Food’: Sam Altman On How Much Power AI Consumes

Van Rootselaar, 18, killed eight people before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities. The victims included the suspect’s mother, half-brother and five students at the town’s secondary school.

OpenAI said after the shooting that the teen’s account had been flagged internally in June for misuse “in furtherance of violent activities" and was subsequently suspended. The company said at the time it did not notify authorities because the activity did not meet its threshold for a credible or imminent threat.

Sam Altman’s apology follows comments by British Columbia Premier David Eby last month that the OpenAI chief had agreed to formally apologise to the community for the company’s failure to flag the teen as a threat.

In the letter, Sam Altman said Eby and Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka had conveyed “the anger, sadness, and concern" felt by residents.

“We agreed a public apology was necessary, but that time was also needed to respect the community as you grieved," Sam Altman wrote. He added that OpenAI would continue working with governments to help prevent similar tragedies in future.

“Going forward, our focus will continue to be on working with all levels of government to help ensure something like this never happens again," he said.

News world 'Can't Imagine Anything Worse': Sam Altman Apologises After OpenAI Failed To Flag Canada Mass Shooter

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