18-year-old suspect in Canada school shooting also killed mother, 39, & stepbrother, 11, at home

An 18-year-old teenager is believed to be behind the tragic shooting that killed eight in Canada, including six at a secondary school.

Described as one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history, the attack happened on Feb. 10 at Tumbler Ridge, a small, remote community in British Columbia.

The suspect has been identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, a local resident who used to attend the school she attacked, but dropped out four years ago, The Guardian reported.

What happened

The police told the media on Feb. 11 that Van Rootselaar arrived at the school in the afternoon, armed with a long gun and a modified handgun.

She then opened fire on staff and students, killing a 39-year-old teacher and five students. Four of the students were 12 years old, while the fifth was 13.

Within two minutes, the police arrived and were fired upon as well.

The victims were found in a stairwell and a classroom. The body of the shooter was also later found dead at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

At least 25 others were injured.

After the shooting, the police visited the shooter's family home and found Van Rootselaar’s 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother dead from gunshot wounds.

Their deaths occurred before the school shooting, according to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald.

When reporters asked about the shooter's gender identity, McDonald replied, "I can say that Jesse was born as a biological male who, approximately six years ago, began to transition to female and identified as female, both socially and publicly."

The motive for the attack has yet to be determined, but McDonald said that the suspect was not related to any of the victims at the school.

"There is no information at this point that anyone was specifically targeted," he added, as quoted by AP.

McDonald shared that the police had visited her family home several times over the past few years, in response to mental health-related calls, The Guardian reported.

Some of the calls also concerned weapons.

On at least one occasion about two years ago, firearms had been seized from the home.

The lawful owner of the firearms then petitioned to have them returned, and they were returned.

Van Rootselaar was apprehended on different occasions for mental health assessment and follow-up.

Had an interest in weapons

After Van Rootselaar was named, old posts and photos from her deceased mother's Facebook account resurfaced online.

A family photo that showed Van Rootselaar holding a rifle was also posted on Facebook by her grandmother in August 2021, according to the New York Post.

In Canada, children between the ages of 12 and 17 can apply for a minor’s firearms licence.

Such a licence allows them to borrow non-restricted firearms for approved purposes, such as to learn about the use of firearms, and for shooting competitions, hunting, or target practice, according to CBC.

Van Rootselaar had a firearms licence which expired in 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

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