Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has issued an apology letter to the community of Tumbler Ridge, a month after promising to do so to B.C. Premier David Eby.
The apology letter was sent to a media outlet in Tumbler Ridge. In the letter, Altman reflects on February’s horrific mass shooting and expresses his deepest condolences to the entire community.
“No one should ever have to endure a tragedy like this. I cannot imagine anything worse in this world than losing a child,” the letter reads. “My heart remains with the victims, their families, all members of the community and the province of British Columbia.”
Altman says he is deeply sorry that OpenAI did not alert law enforcement when shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had his account banned in June. “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,” he said.
Altman also writes, “I reaffirm the commitment I made to the mayor and the premier to find ways to prevent tragedies like this in the future.”
“Going forward, our focus will continue to be on working with all levels of government to help ensure something like this never happens again,” he said.
Addressing the month-long delay, Altman says the time was needed to respect the community as it grieved. “I share this letter with the understanding that everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time,” he said.
The letter was issued two days after Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka met with Eby. At that meeting, Eby said the police investigation into the mass shooting is in its final stages.
