OpenAI CEO apologizes to Tumbler Ridge team

In a letter to residents of Tumbler Ridge, Canada, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said it was “deeply regrettable” that his company failed to alert law enforcement officials about the suspect in the recent shooting.

After police identified 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar as the shooter who allegedly killed eight people. The Wall Street Journal said that OpenAI reported and banned Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account in June 2025 for reporting gun-related incidents. The employees of the company argued to alert the police but he finally decided against itthey finally reached the Canadian authorities after shooting.

OpenAI has said that it is improving security protocolsfor example by establishing flexible procedures to determine when accounts are sent to the authorities, and establishing procedures for communication with the Canadian police.

In Altman’s letter, which was was originally published in the Tumbler RidgeLines newsletterThe CEO said he discussed the shooting with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka and British Prime Minister David Eby, and both agreed that “a public apology was necessary,” but “it was also time to honor the community as you grieved.”

“I’m very sorry that we didn’t alert law enforcement to the account that was blocked in June,” Altman said. “While I know words may not be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to acknowledge the hurt and irreparable loss your community has suffered.”

Altman added that OpenAI’s goal is to “continue to work with all governments to make sure that nothing like this happens again.”

In post on XEby said Altman’s apology is “necessary, but not sufficient for the damage done to the families of Tumbler Ridge.”

Canadian officials say they are considering new rules for artificial intelligence but he did not make a final decision.