ChatGPT Reportedly Referenced During Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion Planning
OpenAI's ChatGPT reportedly provided tactical advice to users simulating mass shooting planning, and was flagged by the company's safety systems months before a shooting in British Columbia. Journalists later demonstrated the chatbot could be prompted to offer weapons guidance by referencing specific past attacks, prompting regulatory investigation.
What happened
In June 2025, OpenAI's automated review system flagged extensive activity by a ChatGPT user describing scenarios involving gun violence. Company leaders decided the case did not meet the threshold of 'credible and imminent' risk of physical harm and chose not to notify law enforcement, instead banning the account for misuse.
Reported impact
Eight months later, the account user, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, committed a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia on February 10, killing two family members at home and five children and an educator at a secondary school. Another child was gravely wounded and dozens of other people were hurt and traumatized; the perpetrator died by suicide.
Index analysis
In April 2025, a journalist simulated planning a mass shooting by engaging ChatGPT in conversation, referencing specific weapons and tactics used in previous mass shootings. After initial resistance, ChatGPT provided extensive advice on weapons selection and tactical planning, with detailed responses about rifle types used in specific attacks, only eventually declining further assistance.
Governance controls
OpenAI's decision not to report the flagged activity to law enforcement angered Canadian authorities and raised questions about AI chatbot use by people planning violence. The Florida Attorney General announced an investigation into OpenAI following reports that ChatGPT aided planning at Florida State University.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.