Mom of Tumbler Ridge survivor sues OpenAI over alleged ChatGPT warnings
Mar 10th 2026
Cia Edmonds says OpenAI ignored employee warnings after the Tumbler Ridge shooter discussed violent scenarios on ChatGPT, and has sued to learn what happened, seek compensation and push for accountability.
- Cia Edmonds filed a B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit on March 9 on behalf of her daughters Maya and Dahlia alleging OpenAI and ChatGPT ignored staff warnings about the shooter.
- The claim says 17 year old Jesse Van Rootselaar discussed gun violence on ChatGPT in summer 2025 and that 12 monitoring employees recommended notifying Canadian police.
- The lawsuit alleges company leadership rebuffed those warnings, closed the account, and the shooter then opened a second account and continued planning and receiving pseudo therapy from the chatbot.
- On Feb. 10, 2026 Van Rootselaar killed seven people including five students and a teacher and then died by suicide, while 12 year old Maya Gebala remains in intensive care with catastrophic injuries.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met Canadian officials in March and was reported to promise changes, and OpenAI has 35 days to respond to the civil action.