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OpenAI Flagged Tumbler Ridge Suspect Months Before Mass Shooting, Chose Not to Alert Police

OpenAI cites a June 2025 assessment that found no imminent, credible threat, with RCMP now examining the suspect’s online activity.

Overview

  • The Wall Street Journal reported that about a dozen OpenAI employees urged alerting authorities after chats describing gun violence were flagged last June, but company leaders declined.
  • OpenAI says it banned the account in June 2025 for violating usage policies and, after the Feb. 10 attack, proactively provided information to the RCMP and is supporting the investigation.
  • The company says referrals to law enforcement require evidence of an imminent, credible risk of serious physical harm, a bar it says the June activity did not meet, and it is reviewing the case for possible policy improvements.
  • RCMP officials say they are methodically processing digital and physical evidence, including social media and device data, and note prior mental‑health contacts with the suspect.
  • British Columbia’s government says OpenAI met provincial officials on Feb. 11 without disclosing the prior flagging, then asked the next day to be connected with the RCMP.