Premier promises Tumbler Ridge answers, as AG supports OpenAI lawsuit

The NDP government isn’t just watching the progress of lawsuits filed in California on behalf of the families of Tumbler Ridge shooting victims, it’s looking into whether the province can help in the court action.

The overlapping negligence suits name OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman in the deaths and injury of Tumbler Ridge residents, accusing the company’s ChatGPT program of “aiding and abetting a mass shooting.”

Attorney General Niki Sharma told reporters she’s sympathetic to the desire for accountability.

“I understand their need to seek justice and that they’ve launched this lawsuit,” she said. “We’re connecting with the legal counsel that are a part of this lawsuit just to understand the claim and if we can be supportive at all.”

When asked about the case, the premier revealed the RCMP’s criminal investigation is nearly complete, which will clear the way for a coroner’s inquest and potentially a public inquiry “if necessary.”

David Eby was not surprised that the American law firm that’s taken over the case has filed the suit in San Francisco, noting “California is well known for having significantly larger court awards than any Canadian jurisdiction – they have a very different legal system.”

He also made a commitment toward finding answers.

“Whether it was OpenAI’s role or whether was mental health services’ role, or whether how the guns were handled, we will ensure that they get the answers to those questions here in British Columbia,” Eby said.