First Photographs Emerge of Suspected Tumbler Ridge School Shooter
The initial images have now been released of the individual suspected of carrying out one of Canada's most devastating mass shootings at a secondary school. Jesse Van Rootselaar, aged 18, is believed to be responsible for the fatal shooting of six individuals and the injury of 25 others at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada. The tragic event occurred on Tuesday, February 10.
Second-Deadliest School Shooting in Canadian History
This horrific incident is now recorded as the second-deadliest school shooting in the history of Canada. It follows the 1989 tragedy at L'Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, where 14 students lost their lives. The comparison underscores the severity and national impact of the Tumbler Ridge attack.
A particularly disturbing photograph has been circulated, showing Van Rootselaar smiling while holding a rifle. The exact age of Van Rootselaar at the time this image was captured remains uncertain and is currently under investigation by authorities.
Victims Identified in the School Shooting
Police have confirmed the identities of those who perished within the school premises. The victims include three 12-year-old girls, two boys aged 12 and 13, and a 39-year-old female teacher. In a heartbreaking development, two additional victims were identified as having been shot by Van Rootselaar prior to the school attack.
These individuals are Jennifer Strang, a 39-year-old woman, and an 11-year-old boy, who were confirmed to be Van Rootselaar's mother and stepbrother, respectively. Their deaths bring the total fatality count to nine, including the suspect.
Shooter's Death and Identification Details
Authorities have reported that Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the school grounds. This act increased the overall death toll to nine. During the investigation, it was revealed that Van Rootselaar identified as transgender and used female pronouns.
When questioned by reporters regarding the suspect's gender identity, Deputy Commissioner McDonald stated that police were identifying the individual "as they chose to be identified in public and in social media." He further elaborated, "I can say that Jesse was born as a biological male who approximately six years ago began to transition to female and identified as female, both socially and publicly."
Community Response and Police Investigation
Residents of Tumbler Ridge, a remote town with a population of about 2,400 located in the foothills of the Rockies, received a critical text alert on Tuesday afternoon. The alert instructed them to shelter in place due to an active shooter situation. Reports indicated that the alert described the suspect as a "female in a dress with brown hair."
Law enforcement officers promptly entered the school to neutralize the threat and discovered the shooter deceased. The suspect was identified as Van Rootselaar, a resident of Tumbler Ridge. In the aftermath, two firearms were recovered from the scene: a long gun and a modified handgun, which are now central to the ongoing investigation.
