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OpenAI CEO apologizes to Tumbler Ridge community

Published

2 months ago

April 25, 2026

Preport

In a letter to the residents of Tumbler Ridge, Canada, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he is “deeply sorry” that his company failed to alert law enforcement about the suspect in a recent mass shooting.

After police identified 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar as a suspected shooter who allegedly killed eight people, the Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI had flagged and banned Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account in June 2025 for describing scenarios involving gun violence. The company’s staff debated alerting police but ultimately decided against it, eventually reaching out to Canadian authorities after the shooting.

OpenAI has since said that it is improving safety protocols, for example by putting more flexible criteria in place to determine when accounts get referred to authorities, and by establishing direct points of contact with Canadian law enforcement.

In Altman’s letter, which was first published in the local newspaper Tumbler RidgeLines, the CEO said he’d discussed the shooting with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka and British Columbia Premier David Eby, and they’d all agreed “a public apology was necessary,” but “time was also needed to respect the community as you grieved.”

“I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June,” Altman said. “While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered.”

Altman also said that OpenAI’s focus will “continue to be on working with all levels of government to help ensure nothing happens like this again.”

In a post on X, Eby said Altman’s apology is “necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge.”

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Canadian officials have said they are considering new regulations on artificial intelligence but have not made any final decisions.

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NDC: Buhari, Jonathan, they never deregistered opposition parties – Atiku tells Tinubu

Published

3 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Preport

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has asked President Bola Bola Tinubu to learn from former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, saying they never deregistered opposition political parties.

Atiku made the call on Saturday in reaction to an attempt to deregister the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, through the courts.

The former Vice President said attempts to restrict political competition run contrary to democratic principles and could erode public confidence in the electoral process.

“Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari never deregistered opposition political parties. Copy and learn from them.

“If you’re truly popular and your policies have positively bettered the lives of the citizens, you shouldn’t be afraid of a free and fair competition,” Atiku said.

News

Osun 2026: APC member shot in fresh election violence

Published

6 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Preport

A member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Taofeek Mustapha, was shot on Saturday by suspected political thugs in Osogbo.

This is as the state governorship election scheduled to take place in August draws closer.

The State Police Command confirmed the incident which happened in the Oluode-Aranyin area of the state.

The attack is said to have heightened concerns as rival political camps clash across the state.

The victim, who survived the shooting pointed out that he was targeted by the thugs because he was wearing a political cap associated with the APC candidate.

“I put on the AMBO crested cap when the shooting occurred. Everyone ran to safety and they pursued me because I was wearing the APC candidate cap. I did not wait but was shot. I cried for help before they retrieved back into the vehicle and drove away,” he said.

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that an official investigation has already commenced to unravel those behind the attack.

Recall that the police, alongside other security agencies and electoral stakeholders, convened a peace meeting to encourage political parties to commit to a peaceful campaign and election.

However, the ruling Accord Party and the APC did not show up for the meeting.