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February 21, 2026
Precrime: Months Before Massacre, OpenAI Worried About Canada’s Trans Mass Killer
Jesse Van Rootselaar's ChatGPT activity was flagged by the company's automated review system
TL;DR
- OpenAI employees expressed alarm over Jesse Van Rootselaar's interactions with ChatGPT in June 2025, months before a deadly rampage.
- Despite concerns about potential real-world violence, OpenAI opted to ban Van Rootselaar's account rather than notify police.
- Van Rootselaar later allegedly killed eight people and injured 25 more before committing suicide.
- His online activity included building a mass shooting simulation game on Roblox and expressing transgender identity.
- Van Rootselaar had a history of mental health episodes, with police previously removing firearms from his home.
- He reported multiple diagnoses including ADHD, OCD, depression, and autism, and was taking prescribed medication.
- OpenAI only contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after the massacre, highlighting the challenges platforms face in balancing privacy and crime prevention.
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