Canada’s minister responsible for artificial intelligence says he is seeking answers from major tech companies following reports that online activity linked to the gunman in the Tumbler Ridge massacre may have raised internal alarms months before the deadly attack.
Evan Solomon said he is “deeply disturbed” by allegations that concerning interactions on digital platforms were not brought to police in a timely manner. In a statement issued Feb. 21, the minister confirmed he is in contact with OpenAI and other AI companies to review their safety and escalation protocols.
“Canadians expect online platforms to have strong safeguards and clear processes to alert authorities when credible threats emerge,” Solomon said, adding that public safety especially the protection of children must remain paramount as AI technologies evolve.
The controversy follows a report by The Wall Street Journal alleging that employees at OpenAI had internally flagged interactions last June involving 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar. According to the report, the account had posted content involving gun violence scenarios on the ChatGPT platform. Automated systems reportedly flagged the activity, and staff discussed whether law enforcement should be notified.
In a Feb. 21 statement, OpenAI confirmed it identified and banned an account associated with Van Rootselaar last summer for violating company policy. However, the company said the material did not meet its threshold for reporting to police because it did not demonstrate credible or imminent plans for violence.
The Feb. 10 shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and at a nearby residence left nine people dead and 27 injured in the small northeastern British Columbia community of Tumbler Ridge. The victims included five students aged 12 and 13, an educator, and members of the gunman’s family. Police say Van Rootselaar died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
British Columbia Premier David Eby called the reports “profoundly disturbing” for victims’ families and residents across the province. He said the provincial government has confirmed that police are pursuing legal orders to preserve digital evidence from social media companies and AI platforms as part of the ongoing investigation.
“We will use all powers of government to ensure police have the tools they need to investigate every aspect of this horrific tragedy,” Eby said, urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated that OpenAI contacted authorities after the shooting. Investigators are now collecting and reviewing both digital and physical evidence.
The provincial government also revealed that representatives met with OpenAI officials on Feb. 11 a prearranged meeting to discuss the company’s possible expansion into Canada but that no concerns about Van Rootselaar’s online activity were raised during that discussion. The following day, OpenAI requested contact information for the RCMP.
For its part, OpenAI said that once media reports identified Van Rootselaar by name, the company asked the FBI to facilitate contact with Canadian law enforcement and later sought direct communication with provincial officials.
Police have indicated that the shooter had a documented history of mental illness. The investigation remains ongoing, as federal and provincial leaders weigh whether stronger regulatory measures are needed to address how emerging technologies handle potential threats.
Solomon emphasized that Ottawa is closely monitoring developments and reviewing policy options to ensure that safety measures are embedded into AI systems from the outset.
“All options are on the table,” he said, “to make sure public safety is never an afterthought in technological innovation.”
