An 18-year-old has emerged as a person of interest in a tragic shooting that claimed the lives of eight individuals and left dozens more injured in British Columbia, Canada.
Authorities identified Jesse Van Rootselaar as the suspect, who was found deceased at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The motive behind this devastating attack remains unclear.
The incident began with the shooting at a nearby residence, where six individuals lost their lives, including the suspect’s mother, 39, and step-brother, 11. The horror continued at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, resulting in the deaths of a 39-year-old female educator and three female students aged 12, alongside two male students aged 12 and 13.
Officials have stated that they do not suspect any additional individuals were involved in the shootings.
Police records indicate that they had visited the suspect’s family home multiple times over the years, with some visits linked to mental health concerns. Notably, Van Rootselaar had previously held a valid gun license, which has since expired.
It is also important to note that Van Rootselaar had withdrawn from Tumbler Ridge Secondary School four years ago.
On Tuesday at approximately 1:30 PM local time (8:30 PM GMT), officers received reports of an active shooter at the school. They arrived within two minutes, heard gunfire, and promptly entered the building. Within moments, they located the shooter, who had succumbed to what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
At the scene, police discovered two firearms—a long gun and a modified handgun—but the exact role these weapons played in the incident remains uncertain. Following the discovery, officers began a thorough search for victims throughout the school. Two individuals were airlifted to the hospital and continue to receive medical care.
Tumbler Ridge, a small community of approximately 2,400 residents, houses 160 students at its secondary school, which serves grades 7 through 12.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed deep concern, stating that students and teachers “bore witness to unheard of cruelty” during the shooting, highlighting that some victims are still hospitalized and “fighting for their lives.”
Mayor Darryl Krakowka of Tumbler Ridge shared his sorrow with CBC, reflecting on the tight-knit nature of the community. “I will know every victim. I’ve been here 19 years, and we’re a small community,” he remarked after the shelter-in-place order was lifted. “I don’t call them residents. I call them family.”
