Deadly Canada School Attacker Was Trans-Identifying Man, Police Confirm
Police in British Columbia confirmed Wednesday that the 18-year-old who carried out a deadly attack at a rural Canadian school was a trans-identifying male with a documented history of mental illness. The shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School left six people dead, including a teacher and five children, sending shockwaves across Canada and sparking new debate about public safety and mental health intervention failures.
Authorities identified the attacker as Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead inside the school following the rampage. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said the suspect was born male but began transitioning roughly six years ago and publicly identified as female on social media and in daily life.
Law enforcement officials stated they would refer to the suspect using the identity presented publicly, while also confirming biological sex during the investigation. Early police alerts following the attack described the suspect as a woman wearing a dress and at one point used the term “gunperson,” reflecting confusion around the attacker’s identity in the chaotic early moments of the response.
Investigators also confirmed a second crime scene tied to the case. Two people believed to be the suspect’s mother and brother were found dead at a nearby residence the same day. Canadian media identified them as Jennifer and Emmett Strang. Authorities said firearms had previously been seized from the home during earlier police visits related to mental health concerns involving the suspect.
Police revealed the suspect had been detained in the past during mental health episodes. Officers had responded to the residence multiple times over the years, highlighting what critics are now calling missed warning signs. Officials have not yet detailed how the suspect regained access to firearms used in the attack.
Online activity tied to the suspect is also under investigation. A YouTube account believed to be connected to the shooter featured anime imagery alongside a rifle and colors associated with the transgender flag. The channel, which listed “she/her” pronouns in its biography, was removed after the attack. The account’s only known post featured an illustration captioned, “I’ve been pretty, um, aimless.”
Authorities are also examining possible connections to deleted social media accounts on other platforms. A Reddit account with a similar username was taken down shortly after the shooting, though the company has not publicly commented. Investigators continue working to determine whether online activity provided clues about motive or planning.
The victims included a 39-year-old teacher and five students between the ages of 12 and 13. The tragedy has renewed calls in Canada for stronger mental health monitoring, improved threat reporting systems, and stricter enforcement around firearm access for individuals with documented instability. Officials say the investigation remains active as communities across British Columbia mourn the loss.