OpenAI presses California court to dismiss shooting suits

OpenAI is urging a federal judge in California to dismiss lawsuits related to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, claiming British Columbia is the more suitable venue for the cases. The company is invoking the doctrine of forum non conveniens, which permits a court to decline a case when another available forum is better suited. OpenAI argues that British Columbia is both available and adequate because the shooting and related events, as well as much of the evidence, occurred there.

The lawsuit includes 37 federal lawsuits filed against OpenAI entities and CEO Sam Altman, with seven cases initially lodged in April and 30 more in September by affected individuals. OpenAI contends that the litigation may require evidence from Canadian institutions, and that questions about firearms regulation and mental health policy are tied to British Columbia law.

The plaintiffs argue that California is the appropriate venue as OpenAI's headquarters are there and crucial decisions related to the shooter's ChatGPT account occurred within the company. However, OpenAI denies these claims and intends to contest them if the cases proceed. The plaintiffs allege that OpenAI failed to alert authorities about troubling activity associated with the shooter before the attack.

OpenAI maintains that it disabled the shooter's account in June 2025 for violating policies, and after the shooting, identified a second account believed to be associated with the attacker. A hearing on the dismissal request is scheduled for October 8 in San Francisco.