Who is Jesse Van Rootselaar? What we know about the Tumbler Ridge school shooter

Canadian authorities have identified 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar as the person responsible for one of the deadliest school shootings in the country’s recent history, a rampage that left nine people dead, including the shooter, in the small British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday.

Police say the attack began at Van Rootselaar’s home, where she fatally shot her 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Strang, and her 11-year-old stepbrother, Emmett. She then drove to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where six more people — one teacher and five students between the ages of 12 and 13 — were killed. Authorities said at least 25 others were injured. The alleged shooter later died from what investigators described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Background and Identity

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said Van Rootselaar was a biological male who began transitioning approximately six years ago. Police said they are identifying her as she identified herself publicly and on social media.

The former student had dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School roughly four years ago but remained familiar with the school’s layout. Authorities have said there is no known connection between her and the victims at the school.

History of Mental Health Concerns

Mr. McDonald said officers had visited the alleged shooter’s residence several times in recent years in response to concerns about her mental health. The most recent visit occurred last spring and involved concerns about self-harm.

“On different occasions, the suspect was apprehended for assessment and follow-up,” Mr. McDonald told reporters, adding that firearms had previously been seized from the home under provisions of the Criminal Code. The lawful owner later petitioned for their return, and they were eventually given back.

Some prior police calls to the residence also involved weapons-related concerns, though investigators said it remains too early to determine whether those incidents were connected to Tuesday’s attack.

The Van Rootselaar Family

Jennifer Strang, the alleged shooter’s mother, described herself on social media as a “conservative-leaning libertarian.” In a video posted nearly two years ago, she spoke in defense of transgender people and criticized what she described as hateful online rhetoric.

Court records show Ms. Strang was involved in a family court dispute years earlier, during which she sought to relocate her children to Newfoundland, citing family support.

A 2021 Facebook post from Ms. Strang’s account referenced Van Rootselaar’s interest in firearms and outdoor activities, directing followers to a YouTube channel that has since been deleted.

Social media posts from family members over the years depicted what appeared to be a close-knit family celebrating birthdays and milestones.

Firearms and the Attack

Investigators said two firearms — a long gun and a modified handgun — were recovered at the school. Neither was registered to the alleged shooter, whose firearms license had expired in 2024.

Under Canadian law, minors between 12 and 17 may apply for a minor’s firearms license, which allows them to borrow non-restricted firearms for approved activities such as hunting, target shooting and competitions.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed how Van Rootselaar obtained the weapons used in the attack.

The Shooting

Police responded to reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon. Officers arrived to find six victims dead inside the school, most of them in the library area. Van Rootselaar was also found deceased at the scene.

Investigators later determined that the killings at the home had occurred earlier. Police said they were alerted to the situation at the residence after a relative notified a neighbor, who then contacted authorities.

Teachers and students described chaotic scenes as the school entered lockdown, with classroom doors secured and furniture used to barricade entrances. One teacher said approximately 100 students and staff were evacuated once police determined it was safe.

Community Impact

The violence has shaken Tumbler Ridge, a northeastern British Columbia community of roughly 2,500 residents originally established in the 1980s to support nearby coal mining operations.

Mayor Darryl Krakowka described the town as “one big family” and said residents would be grieving together in the days ahead.

The shooting is the deadliest school attack in Canada since the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, in which 14 women were killed.

Flags were lowered to half-staff in parts of the country, and Prime Minister Mark Carney said he plans to visit the community.

Unanswered Questions

Authorities have not announced a motive and said they have not located a note or other communication explaining the attack.

Mr. McDonald said investigators have found no evidence that Van Rootselaar was targeted or bullied because of her gender identity, nor any indication that specific individuals were singled out in the attack.

The investigation remains ongoing.