Urgent: Shooter Identified in Canadian School Attack, 6 Dead

UPDATE: In a shocking incident, an 18-year-old shooter, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, has killed six individuals, including his mother and step-brother, at a school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The tragic events unfolded on February 11, 2023, beginning at approximately 1:20 PM MST at his mother’s residence before escalating to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

Authorities report that Rootselaar, a biological male who identified as female and had been transitioning for six years, first shot and killed his 39-year-old mother, Jannifer Strang, and his 11-year-old step-brother at their home. Following this, Rootselaar proceeded to the nearby school, where he opened fire, claiming the lives of a 39-year-old female teacher and three 12-year-old female students, along with two male students aged 11 and 12.

The situation escalated rapidly, with at least 25 others injured, two of whom were airlifted to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald confirmed that Rootselaar ultimately took his own life at the scene, using a firearm that had been modified.

The RCMP issued a public alert soon after the event was reported and lifted it at 5:45 PM MST. Preliminary reports inaccurately stated that nine individuals had died, which led to confusion during the initial response. McDonald emphasized that there was no evidence suggesting Rootselaar’s previous withdrawal from the school four years ago was due to bullying or harassment connected to his transgender status.

However, local police had responded to multiple calls to Rootselaar’s family home over the years, primarily related to mental health concerns that sometimes involved firearms.

As Tumbler Ridge, a small town with a population of around 2,400, grapples with this devastating loss, the community is reeling from the impact of the violence. The identities of the additional victims have not yet been released, leaving many in mourning and disbelief.

NEXT STEPS: Investigators are actively working to determine the motives behind this horrific attack. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as they piece together the events leading to this tragedy.

Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds and more details are confirmed.