Canada school shooter named Jesse Van Rootselaar after killing 9 | World | News

The Canadian school shooter who killed nine people, including their own mother, has been identified by police as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provided more details about the shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on Wednesday afternoon in an evening update.

Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald confirmed that Van Rootselaar was a resident of the small community of Tumbler Ridge and said investigators believed the attack was carried out alone. Police said officers were called to a report of an active shooter around 1:30 p.m. local time and arrived at the scene within two minutes, entering the school as gunfire continued. The suspect was later found inside the building, dead from what officers described as a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two firearms, one a long gun and the other a modified pistol, were seized at the scene. Investigators later determined the violence began at a nearby family home before the school shooting, McDonald said.

The suspect’s 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old half-brother were found dead at home. Police said officers responded to the scene after a young female relative went to a neighbor for help.

Police said Van Rootselaar had previously come to officers’ attention in incidents linked to mental health issues, with some past visits to the address also involving weapons. Nearly two years ago, firearms were seized from the property under the criminal code but were later returned to their legal owner.

The deputy commissioner said the 18-year-old had left school and not been in school for about four years and began transitioning about six years ago, identifying publicly and socially as a woman.

He added that there is currently no information to suggest bullying plays a role in the school.

Investigators say they have not yet determined a motive and investigations are ongoing.

Police said six victims, including a 39-year-old female educator, three 12-year-old girls, a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy, were killed at the school. Most of the children were born in 2012 and 2013, officials said.

Police corrected earlier reports that one victim died on the way to hospital.

Two more victims, the suspect’s mother and half-sister, were found dead in the family home.

More than 100 students and staff were evacuated from the building after it was determined that it was safe. While those who were likely injured were taken to triage, two people were taken to hospital by plane. Its terms were not disclosed.

Police said there was no indication that any of the school victims were specifically targeted and confirmed there were no suspects.

It was reported that the 18-year-old’s firearms license had expired and there was no gun registered in his name.

Authorities said they are continuing forensic and digital investigations as families are notified and support services are initiated for the community.