Canadian police on Wednesday released the identity of the person responsible for one of the deadliest shootings in the country in recent years, describing the attacker as an 18-year-old with a documented history of mental health issues. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said the suspect, named as Jesse Van Rootselaar, committed suicide after the violence that unfolded on Tuesday in the remote B.C. community of Tumbler Ridge.
Authorities revised the human toll downward to nine victims from an initial count of 10. According to investigators, Van Rootselaar first killed two members of her family at their home - her 39-year-old mother and an 11-year-old step-brother - before traveling to the local school and opening fire there.
At the school, police said the shooter fatally wounded a 39-year-old female teacher and five students: three girls aged 12, and two boys, one aged 12 and the other 13. The RCMP have stated their belief that the suspect acted alone, but have declined to offer a motive at this stage of the inquiry.
Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commander of the RCMP in British Columbia, explained that officers had engaged with the suspect's family residence on multiple occasions over several years in relation to concerns about the suspect's mental health. "Police had attended that (family) residence on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect," McDonald said.
McDonald also remarked on the state of the investigation, telling reporters, "We do believe the suspect acted alone ... it would be too early to speculate on motive." The authorities confirmed the shooter was born male but began identifying as female about six years ago; police statements used the name Jesse Van Rootselaar.
National leaders reacted with visible distress. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who postponed travel plans to Europe, addressed the nation and declared the shooting "terrible." He ordered flags on government buildings to be flown at half-mast for seven days. Speaking at a news briefing and appearing visibly upset, he said: "We will get through this. We will learn from this." He added that the moment called for Canadians to come together in mourning and mutual support.
Expressions of condolence came from abroad as well. King Charles, as Canada’s head of state, said he was "profoundly shocked and saddened" by the deaths.
Local leaders described the scale of the loss. "There’s not a word in the English language that’s strong enough to describe the level of devastation that this community has experienced," Larry Neufeld, a provincial legislator in the area, told CBC News. "It’s going to take a significant amount of effort and a significant amount of courage to repair that terror," he said.
The incident ranks among the most lethal mass shootings in Canadian history. The country maintains stricter gun-control laws than its southern neighbor, but private citizens can possess firearms with the required licensing. The RCMP and other officials have not yet released details on the weaponry used in the Tumbler Ridge attack.
Federal and provincial authorities face scrutiny as the community begins to process the aftermath and as investigators continue to assemble a clearer timeline of events and the suspect's prior interactions with mental health and law enforcement services. Officials have emphasized that inquiries are ongoing and that motivational factors remain undetermined.
Reporting on the wider context within Canada noted past mass-casualty incidents: in April 2020, a 51-year-old man disguised in a police uniform and driving a vehicle made to resemble a police car carried out a 13-hour rampage in Nova Scotia that left 22 people dead before he was killed by police at a gas station. In December 1989, a gunman killed 14 female students and wounded 13 others at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal before taking his own life.
As Tumbler Ridge mourns, authorities have signaled that work to document the facts and to support victims' families and the broader community will continue in the days ahead.
Key Points
- Police identified the shooter as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who had prior mental health interventions by law enforcement.
- Nine people died in the incident - two at the family residence and seven at the school, including a teacher and five students; the suspect committed suicide.
- Officials say it is too early to determine a motive; national and royal leaders offered public condolences and mourning measures were enacted.
Risks and Uncertainties
- Motivation for the attack remains unknown, introducing uncertainty for investigators and policymakers examining prevention measures - impacts relevant to public safety and education sectors.
- Community recovery and the provision of mental health supports are immediate uncertainties, affecting local healthcare and social services capacity.
- Potential policy and regulatory responses regarding firearms and mental health interventions may emerge as authorities review the case, bearing implications for legal and public safety sectors.