Home Business & Economy Artificial Intelligence Tumbler Ridge shooter was blocked on ChatGPT for gun violence content

Tumbler Ridge shooter was blocked on ChatGPT for gun violence content

Federal AI Minister was “deeply disturbed by reports that concerning online activity from the suspect was not reported to law enforcement in a timely manner.”

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Island Social Trends
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OpenAI, ChatGPT
CANADIAN NATIONAL NEWS & ANALYSIS

Saturday February 21, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends

Open AI has revealed that it was aware of concerning content online using their product Chat GPT by the Tumbler Ridge shooter, back in June 2025.

They blocked the account of Jesse Van Rootselaar for content with scenarios of gun violence, who months on February 10 killed eight people in Tumbler Ridge by way of a mass shooting, and then took her own life.

But as a company, Open AI has told media that they decided ‘it wasn’t concerning enough’ to report it to police.

They did mention it to the BC government and to police after the shooting, as reported in national TV news today.

Premier’s statement:

Premier David Eby has released the following statement today in response to media reports regarding OpenAI and the shooting in Tumbler Ridge:

“Reports that allege OpenAI had related intelligence before the shootings in Tumbler Ridge took place are profoundly disturbing for the victims’ families and all British Columbians. 

“The pain that these families have gone through is unimaginable. 

“We have confirmed with police that they are pursuing orders regarding the preservation of any potential evidence related to the shootings in Tumbler Ridge held by digital services companies, including social media platforms and AI companies. 

“I urge anyone with any information regarding this incident to immediately contact police and provide their full co-operation. 

“We will use all powers of government to ensure that police have the tools they need to investigate every aspect of this horrific tragedy.”

AI Minister’s comment:

Federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon said in a statement on Saturday that he was “deeply disturbed by reports that concerning online activity from the suspect was not reported to law enforcement in a timely manner.”

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