OpenAI is facing an additional 30 lawsuits tied to the tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that occurred on February 10, 2026. These new complaints, filed by the law firm Edelson PC, expand the list of plaintiffs to include teachers, a principal, and students who were present at the school during the attack but were not physically harmed. Unlike earlier lawsuits that focused on negligence, the latest filings accuse OpenAI of aiding and abetting the shooting, a claim that will require proving intent on the company’s part and is expected to face legal hurdles. The shooting was carried out by Jesse Van Rootselaar, who killed seven people before taking her own life.

Central to the lawsuits is the allegation that OpenAI failed to act on early warning signs. Internal reports indicated that employees were alarmed by Van Rootselaar’s use of ChatGPT, especially her discussions about gun violence and planning an attack. Staff reportedly urged leadership to notify Canadian law enforcement, but OpenAI decided against it, instead temporarily suspending the user’s account. Plaintiffs contend this decision was influenced by Chris Lehane, OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer, who reportedly instructed staff not to alert authorities. Though Lehane denies involvement, the complaints suggest his role in the company’s organizational structure contributed to prioritizing public relations over safety.

The plaintiffs challenge OpenAI’s justification for not contacting police, which cited a lack of “imminent and credible risk” and privacy concerns. They highlight a contrasting situation from November 2025 when OpenAI quickly responded to a potential threat against its San Francisco offices by notifying police despite no imminent danger. This discrepancy is leveraged to argue that OpenAI's response to Van Rootselaar's case was inconsistent and negligent. CEO Sam Altman and Lehane, though not named as defendants, are expected to be key witnesses in the unfolding legal proceedings.

OpenAI continues to navigate multiple legal and reputational challenges following the Tumbler Ridge shooting. This comes against the backdrop of other controversies, including a cybersecurity breach involving its AI models and lawsuits alleging harmful effects linked to ChatGPT's design. As the lawsuits proceed, they will test the boundaries of AI company responsibility in cases where technology intersects with real-world violence, while raising broader questions about corporate accountability and public safety in the AI era.