OpenAI’s Sam Altman Regrets Not Alerting Police Before Shooting

Table of Contents OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized to Tumbler Ridge officials for not alerting police about a banned account. The company had removed the account months before a February mass shooting. Altman acknowledged the failure in a public letter released Friday. Sam Altman sent the letter to leaders in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. He admitted the company did not notify authorities after banning the suspect’s account. He wrote, “I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement.” He explained that OpenAI banned the account in June 2025. The company cited activity tied to the “furtherance of violent activities.” However, internal reviewers decided the posts did not meet the threshold for imminent harm. Altman stated that OpenAI considered contacting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Yet the company concluded the content lacked a credible and immediate threat. As a result, staff removed the account but did not escalate the case. He added, “While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary.” He recognized the “harm and irreversible loss” suffered by the community. He expressed sympathy for families who lost loved ones. The February attack unfolded in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Police identified 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar as the suspect. Authorities said she killed her mother and stepbrother before attacking a local school. At Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, five children and one educator died. Twenty-five others sustained injuries during the shooting. Police confirmed that Van Rootselaar later died by suicide. Altman said he spoke with Mayor Darryl Krakowka and Premier David Eby. He stated they shared the anger and sadness felt across the town. He said they agreed that a public apology was necessary. He wrote, “No one should ever have to endure a tragedy like this.” He added, “I cannot imagine anything worse in this world than losing a child.” He pledged to work with authorities to prevent similar events. After the attack, OpenAI disclosed that its systems had flagged the account months earlier. The company said it reviewed the content under its safety policies. It confirmed the account violated usage rules and led to a ban. The firm stated that it weighed whether to alert police. However, reviewers determined the material did not show imminent danger. Therefore, OpenAI did not contact law enforcement at that time. Premier David Eby responded publicly on X. He wrote, “The apology is necessary, and yet grossly insufficient.” He added that officials will continue supporting Mayor Krakowka and residents. The letter emerged as other investigations examine technology platforms and violent incidents. Florida authorities are reviewing whether ChatGPT influenced a 2025 shooting suspect. Separately, a lawsuit claims Google’s Gemini deepened a man’s delusions before his death. Altman prepares for a civil trial with Elon Musk in federal court this week. The apology letter marks his latest public statement. He reaffirmed his commitment to work with government leaders on safety measures.