General

An 18-year-old has been identified as the suspect in a tragic shooting that resulted in eight deaths and many injuries in British Columbia, Canada. The police reported that Jesse Van Rootselaar was discovered dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The reason behind this attack is still unclear. Six people lost their lives, and at least 25 others were hurt at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Additionally, two more victims—Van Rootselaar's mother, aged 39, and step-brother, aged 11—were found dead at a nearby residence. Officials stated that Van Rootselaar was born a biological male but identified as a woman. Dwayne McDonald, the deputy commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), explained, “Jesse was born as a biological male who began transitioning to female around six years ago.” The shooting at the home happened first, followed by the incident at the school, according to McDonald. The school victims included a 39-year-old female teacher, three female students aged 12, and two male students, one aged 12 and the other 13. Authorities believe there are no additional suspects in these shootings. The police mentioned they had visited the suspect’s family home several times over the years, with some visits related to mental health issues.