OpenAI faces 30 more lawsuits tied to Tumbler Ridge shooting
techcrunch ·
Edelson PC is filing 30 additional lawsuits against OpenAI related to the Tumbler Ridge school shooting, adding to seven earlier complaints. The new plaintiffs include teachers, a principal, and students who were inside the school during the attack but were not physically shot. For the first time, the lawsuits accuse OpenAI of aiding and abetting the mass shooting, a claim requiring proof of intent and likely to face early dismissal challenges. The filings name OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane as the person who directed staff not to contact authorities, though the complaints offer no direct evidence and OpenAI denies his involvement. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is listed as a defendant, while Lehane is not. The lawsuits also dispute OpenAI's previous justifications of 'imminence' and 'privacy' by citing a November 2025 incident when OpenAI locked down its offices and notified police after an alleged threat. Jay Edelson, the lead lawyer, said the claims are based partly on the org chart and a broader investigation, and that Lehane and Altman will be critical witnesses. OpenAI's chief strategy officer Jason Kwon said it is 'absolutely false' that Lehane was involved or that investigators report to him.
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