On behalf of His Majesty the King in Right of the Province of British Columbia and the Board of Education of School District No. 59 (Peace River South), Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, PLLC (SJ&G) filed suit today in federal court in California against Samuel Altman and the OpenAI entities.
The Crown and School District seek accountability from the defendants for knowingly deciding not to warn them of the risk of danger that ultimately ended in the tragic school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on Feb. 10, 2026. The defendants also knowingly released a dangerous and defective product that incites violence, without implementing adequate safeguards.
In the words of B.C. Attorney General Sharma:
The lawsuit being filed raises serious questions about the responsibilities of technology companies when they become aware of credible threats of serious violence, and the actions that should be taken to help protect people and ensure public safety.
Sharma also said the lawsuit “highlights the urgent need for strong national safeguards for artificial intelligence technologies and online platforms. Our government has consistently advocated for measures to protect people, especially children and youth, from online harms.”
The Province and School District No. 59 seek damages and injunctive relief to hold OpenAI accountable for the harm the attack caused and to compel safeguards that prevent future tragedies.
Lesley E. Weaver, Anne K. Davis, and Joshua D. Samra of SJ&G represent plaintiffs. Reidar Mogerman, K.C. and Rebecca Coad of CFM Lawyers LLP serve as Canadian counsel.
The case is: His Majesty the King in Right of the Province of British Columbia v. Altman, No. 3:26-cv-10743 (N.D. Cal.)