Lawsuits brought by survivors and victims of Canada’s Tumbler Ridge mass shooting add to an expanding legal effort targeting OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman. Multiple outlets report that 30 new plaintiffs file claims in U.S. federal court on Wednesday, bringing the total number of claims attributed to the litigation to 37.
The new suits allege that OpenAI’s ChatGPT provided “substantial assistance and encouragement” to the shooter, and in some accounts claim the chatbot “induced” the attacker. The allegations are framed around theories including aiding and abetting. TechCrunch and The Verge also report that the lawsuits name additional company figures, including Chris Lehane, and are filed by Edelson PC.
Outlets also note OpenAI’s response: the company says it prioritizes safety. However, several reports describe that key evidence underlying the plaintiffs’ claims has not been independently confirmed publicly. Coverage emphasizes that, while the lawsuits cite the chatbot’s role, courts will determine what—if any—link between the system and the attack is legally established.
