Jesse Van Rootselaar shot mother, brother dead at home before killing 6 at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School

Nine people are dead and around 25 are injured after a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, authorities confirmed. The suspect, identified as trans 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, is among the deceased. Authorities confirmed that the shooter’s mother and the suspect’s brother are among the deceased.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said the suspect “was born as a biological male” and that authorities “identified the suspect as they chose to be identified in public and social media.” McDonald added that the shooter acted alone.

The shooting began at a private residence, where two victims were found dead. They were identified as mother Jennifer Strang and brother Emmett. A family member of the suspect reportedly alerted neighbors, prompting a call to police. From there, the suspect went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where additional victims were injured or killed, reports CTV News.

McDonald said most of the victims were born in 2012 or 2013. Due to their age, the RCMP will only release identities with the consent of families. “We need to approach this with a trauma-informed practice,” he said.

One of the victims, a woman previously reported dead during transport, remains alive but in critical condition.

The suspect had dropped out of school and previously held a firearms license that has since expired. McDonald said authorities are still investigating whether the recovered long gun and modified handgun were purchased legally and by whom, adding that the guns were not registered to the shooter.

Victims at the school were found in the hallway and the library, McDonald said, but officials are not confirming the relationship between the suspect and most victims.

Investigators have not released details regarding a motive, emphasizing the investigation is ongoing. McDonald said authorities are confident there are no other active suspects.