UPDATE: In a devastating attack, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar has been identified as the shooter in a Canadian school incident that left six dead and 25 others wounded. The horrific events unfolded on February 11, 2023, starting at Van Rootselaar’s home in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, before escalating to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where he took his own life.
Authorities confirm that Van Rootselaar, who identifies as female and began transitioning six years ago, first shot and killed his 39-year-old mother, Jannifer Strang, and his 11-year-old step-brother at their residence. The motives behind the school shooting are still unclear, as police continue to investigate.
At the school, Van Rootselaar tragically killed a 39-year-old female teacher, three 12-year-old female students, and two male students aged 11 and 12. Reports indicate that two of the injured are in critical condition and were airlifted to a local hospital. Approximately 100 students were evacuated after police arrived on the scene.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald revealed that the shooter had previously attended the school but dropped out four years ago. Although police received multiple calls to the family home regarding mental health issues, there was no indication of bullying related to his transgender status.
The timeline of the incident began around 1:20 p.m. MST, when police were alerted to the shooting. An emergency alert was issued and later lifted at 5:45 p.m. as the situation was contained. Preliminary reports initially miscounted the fatalities, mistakenly stating that nine individuals were killed, including the shooter.
Officials emphasize that the delay in identifying Van Rootselaar was necessary to notify next of kin and ensure accurate information was released. As of now, the names of the victims have not been disclosed.
This tragic event highlights the urgent need for discussions surrounding mental health and gun control, as communities grapple with the aftermath of such violence.
As investigations continue, the town of Tumbler Ridge, with a population of about 2,400, is left in shock, mourning the loss of lives in a place once considered safe. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this case to come forward as they seek to unravel the complexities behind this tragic incident.
