Canadian Authorities Identify 18-Year-Old Suspect in Deadly British Columbia Mass Shooting
Canadian law enforcement officials have identified an 18-year-old individual as the primary suspect in a horrific mass shooting that unfolded in a remote community in British Columbia, leaving nine people dead and dozens more injured. The suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, is reported to have killed her mother and stepbrother before launching a violent attack at a local secondary school, according to police statements.
Suspect's Background and Police Involvement
Dwayne McDonald, a deputy commissioner with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, provided critical details about the suspect. He confirmed that Van Rootselaar was biologically male at birth but had begun transitioning to female approximately six years ago. McDonald emphasized that police would continue to refer to the suspect using female pronouns out of respect for her identity. The suspect was later discovered deceased at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, with authorities stating the motive remains under investigation and unknown at this time.
McDonald revealed that Van Rootselaar and her family were previously known to law enforcement agencies. Police had visited the family residence on multiple occasions over recent years due to mental health concerns, including issues related to self-harm. In one specific instance, firearms were seized from the property, highlighting prior interventions by authorities. "Police had attended that residence on a number of occasions over the last several years dealing with concerns of mental health with our suspect," McDonald stated, as cited by the New York Times, referring to the home where the initial victims were found.
Timeline of the Tragic Events
The sequence of events began on Tuesday when Van Rootselaar allegedly murdered her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home in Tumbler Ridge, a remote hamlet situated about 700 miles north of Vancouver. Following this domestic violence, she proceeded to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where she opened fire indiscriminately, according to police accounts.
At the school, the shooting resulted in the deaths of five individuals: three 12-year-old girls, a 12-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy, and a 39-year-old female teacher. Initially, police reported six fatalities at the educational institution but later corrected the toll, explaining that a critically injured woman who was airlifted to a hospital had been mistakenly included among the deceased. The total death count from the incident stands at nine, including the suspect's family members and the victims at the school.
Police Response and Recovery Efforts
Law enforcement officers arrived at the school within two minutes of receiving reports of the shooting. Upon approaching the building, they came under fire from the suspect. Officers managed to enter the premises, where they found Van Rootselaar dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. At the scene, authorities recovered a long gun and a modified handgun, which are believed to have been used in the attack.
Tumbler Ridge is a secluded community with approximately 2,400 residents. The secondary school involved serves around 160 students in Grades 7 through 12, making the incident particularly devastating for the tight-knit population.
Official Reactions and Ongoing Impact
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the tragedy, stating that the students and teachers "bore witness to unheard of cruelty" during the shooting. He added that some victims remain hospitalized and are "fighting for their lives," underscoring the severe physical and emotional toll of the event. The community is grappling with grief and shock as investigations continue to uncover more details about the circumstances leading up to the violence.
