The province of British Columbia filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in California on September 21, 2026. The legal action follows the February 10, 2026, shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which resulted in eight deaths, including six children.
According to the claim, OpenAI’s internal safety team identified violent content in the shooter’s ChatGPT history in June 2025. The team reportedly recommended contacting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but the company allegedly ignored this advice.
The lawsuit asserts that OpenAI failed to report the threat due to concerns regarding its commercial prospects and a planned IPO. Attorney General Niki Sharma confirmed that the province began exploring legal options in July 2026.
OpenAI currently faces 37 separate civil lawsuits from victims' families in California federal court. Plaintiffs allege negligence and product liability, with some claims seeking damages exceeding $1 billion.
OpenAI has issued a public apology and pledged to improve safety protocols. The company has also moved to dismiss several private lawsuits, arguing that the appropriate jurisdiction for these cases is British Columbia.
