The RCMP have identified the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School mass shooting as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar and confirmed the attack left nine people dead, not 10 as initially reported.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said the suspect died by suicide inside the school after killing eight people and injuring about 25 others. Two of the injured were left with life-threatening injuries.
“A total of nine people died,” McDonald said, clarifying that police had earlier believed a critically injured female victim had succumbed to her injuries. She remains alive after being airlifted to hospital in serious condition.
Police confirmed the suspect’s mother and step-brother are among the victims found at a residence connected to the investigation. However, McDonald said the RCMP is not publicly confirming the relationship between the shooter and the victims at this time.
According to the RCMP, the deceased victims inside the school include an adult female educator, three female students and two male students between the ages of 13 and 17. At the residence, officers located two additional victims, an adult female and a male youth.
“It is believed the people in the residence are the mother and the step-brother of the suspect,” McDonald said.
The initial emergency alert described the lone suspect as a “female in a dress with brown hair.” McDonald confirmed investigators believe Van Rootselaar acted alone. “There are currently no outstanding suspects,” he said.
McDonald said Van Rootselaar was born biological male and transitioned to female several years ago. She was not attending Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at the time of the shooting and had dropped out approximately four years ago.
Police said the suspect had an expired firearms licence. Over the past several years, officers responded to her home for mental health-related calls, some of which involved weapons. Firearms were seized during those interactions, but the lawful owner successfully petitioned to have them returned, McDonald said.
Two firearms, a long gun and a modified handgun, were recovered at the scene. “The role they played will be a significant part of the investigation,” McDonald noted.
Investigators continue to examine the suspect’s history, access to weapons and potential motive. “We do believe the suspect acted alone,” McDonald reiterated.
As Tumbler Ridge mourns the loss of an educator, young students and members of one family, federal flags remain at half-mast and grief counselling supports have been expanded across the region. The investigation remains ongoing.
