The BC government is suing OpenAI over the deadly Tumbler Ridge school shooting, alleging the company failed to alert law enforcement about threats made on its platform before the attack.
Attorney General Niki Sharma announced Monday that the province is taking legal action against OpenAI in California over the Feb. 10, 2026, mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
“The people of Tumbler Ridge have endured an unimaginable loss, and they deserve answers and accountability,” Sharma said.
According to Sharma, the lawsuit alleges OpenAI failed to notify law enforcement of threats made on its platform before the shooting.
The province is working with the board of education for School District 59 Peace River South as the case moves through the courts.
Sharma said the case raises broader questions about the responsibilities of technology companies when they become aware of credible threats of serious violence.
“This case highlights the urgent need for strong national safeguards for artificial intelligence technologies and online platforms,” she said.
Sharma said she has also written to federal ministers with proposals to amend the Criminal Code to create what she described as a “pathway to human accountability for AI’s actions.”
The attorney general also criticized OpenAI’s response since the shooting, saying the company has not taken “meaningful steps” to address concerns raised by survivors, families and the Tumbler Ridge community.
She called on the company to strengthen safeguards, improve transparency and take action to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The province compared the legal action to previous cases it has pursued against tobacco, opioid and vaping companies, saying it has used the courts to hold corporations accountable when their products or practices cause harm.
“Legal proceedings cannot undo the immense loss experienced by the people of Tumbler Ridge,” Sharma said. “However, holding OpenAI accountable, seeking much needed answers and demanding stronger protections are important steps for preventing future tragedies.”
