A transgender ex-student has been identified as the suspect in Tuesday’s mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia that left ten people dead,including the shooter, and dozens wounded.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald identified the suspect as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Van Rootselaar was born male and began transitioning to female approximately six years ago, according to police.
Authorities revealed that Van Rootselaar had dropped out of the school about four years ago and had a history of mental health concerns. Police had visited her residence multiple times over the past several years, with the most recent visit occurring in spring 2025 regarding “concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect,” McDonald said.
The victims included five students between the ages of 12 and 13, a 39-year-old teacher at the school, and the suspect’s 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother, who were found dead at the family’s home. Police believe the killings at the home occurred before the school shooting.
“There is no information at this point that anyone was specifically targeted,” McDonald told reporters.
Two firearms – a long gun and a modified handgun – were recovered at the scene. McDonald noted that police had previously seized firearms from the suspect’s residence, but they were later returned to their lawful owner after a petition.
The attack marks Canada’s deadliest rampage since 2020, when a gunman in Nova Scotia killed 13 people and set fires that left another nine dead.
British Columbia has declared Thursday a day of mourning, with the provincial legislature planning to hold a moment of silence at noon to honor the victims, their families, and the Tumbler Ridge community.
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