First Image Emerges of Canadian School Shooter Following Deadly Rampage
The first photograph of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the perpetrator of Canada's second-deadliest school shooting, has been released as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the horrific attack in British Columbia. Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old who police stated identified as female, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, concluding a violent spree that claimed nine lives.
A Trail of Violence at School and Home
The rampage began at the shooter's family home in the small mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, where Van Rootselaar murdered her mother, Jennifer, and her stepbrother, Emmett. The assailant then proceeded to the local secondary school, opening fire in the library. The attack resulted in the deaths of a female teacher, three girls, and two boys, all aged between 13 and 17. At least 25 other individuals sustained injuries during the terrifying incident, with students recalling barricading themselves inside classrooms for safety.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) revealed a history of concerning interactions with the teenager. Authorities had responded to multiple calls at Van Rootselaar's residence over the years related to mental health issues. At one point, the individual was apprehended for assessment under Canada's mental health legislation. Furthermore, firearms were previously seized from the home under the Criminal Code, though they were later returned to their lawful owner following a petition.
A Community in Mourning and a Nation's Response
The close-knit town of Tumbler Ridge, with a population deeply affected by the tragedy, has been left reeling. The secondary school, which enrolls 175 students, alongside its associated elementary school, will remain closed for the remainder of the week. Mayor Darryl Krakowka, emotional in his statement, described the community as a "big family" and expressed personal connections to the victims, stating, "I broke down. I have lived here for 18 years. I probably know every one of the victims."
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the nation, offering condolences and solidarity. "Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love," he said. "The nation mourns with you, and Canada stands by you." The motive behind the shootings remains unclear, adding to the community's anguish.
Profile of a Killer and Historical Context
Those who knew Van Rootselaar described the individual as a "quiet kid" who was often seen "sitting alone in the corner." The shooter had stopped attending school four years prior, at the age of 14. As the family mourns the loss of Jennifer and Emmett, tributes have been laid for all the victims, including the young students and teacher whose lives were cut short.
This devastating event now stands as the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history, surpassed only by the 1989 misogynistic attack at Montreal’s L’Ecole Polytechnique, where 14 young women were killed. The release of Van Rootselaar's first public image marks a somber moment as investigations continue and a shattered community seeks to heal.
