Police said Jesse Van Rootselaar was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot injury.

The motive for the attack is not yet known.

Six people were killed and at least 25 others were injured at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

Two others – the suspect’s mother, 39, and step-brother, 11 – were found dead at a nearby home.

Authorities said Van Rootselaar was born a biological male but identified as a woman.

“I can say that Jesse was born as a biological male who approximately six years ago began to transition to female,” Dwayne McDonald, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) deputy commissioner, said.

The shooting at the nearby home occurred first, then the suspect went to the school, McDonald said.

The victims at the school were a 39-year-old female educator, three female students, all aged 12, and two male students, one aged 12 and the other 13.

Authorities do not believe there are other suspects involved in the shootings.

Police said they had attended the suspect’s family home on multiple occasions over the past several years, with some calls related to mental health concerns.

Van Rootselaar was known to police, and “we’ve begun the process of reaching out to” the public health care system to “understand what interactions may have taken place,” British Columbia Premier David Eby told a news conference outside the Tumbler Ridge town hall late on Wednesday evening.

The suspect previously had a valid gun licence that had since lapsed, McDonald said.

Police said Van Rootselaar had dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School four years ago.

Around 13:30 local time (20:30 GMT) on Tuesday, police received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

Officers arrived on the scene within two minutes of the call, heard active gunfire and entered the school, McDonald said.

Within minutes they located the shooter, who was deceased from what police say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities found two firearms – a long gun and a modified handgun – on the scene.

But McDonald said it remains unclear the exact roles the firearms played in the shooting.

Police then began searching for victims throughout the school.

Two victims were taken to hospital by air ambulance and remain in hospital.

Tumbler Ridge has about 2,400 residents, and its secondary school has 160 students in Grades 7-12.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the students and teachers “bore witness to unheard of cruelty” during the shooting, noting that some victims remain in hospital “fighting for their lives”.

Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka told reporters late on Wednesday that the close-knit community was “one big family.”

“Lend your ear when someone needs your ear,” he said, growing emotional at times. “Lend your shoulder when someone needs your shoulder. Give somebody a hug.”

Source: BBC

READ ALSO: 

When silence ends a marriage

FG begins rehabilitation of 22km Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road

Ibadan, Calabar, Jos to host MTN Champs Season 4

FG begins emergency repair of failed section of Apongbon Bridge

Owo church attack: Witness tells court efforts made to arrest suspects

Tinubu appoints new chairman for NAHCON

FCT court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s trial to March 10

ITREALMS Media announces 2026 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum

Trump hosts Netanyahu for White House talks on Iran, Gaza

Coup plotters will face full wrath of the law –Air Chief

Argungu festival: Kebbi secures $14bn investment commitments

The Companion calls for proactive security in Kwara

Fraudulent elections: In whose interest?

Skunk, colorado and Nigeria’s bent destiny, By Funke Egbemode

The post Police identify 18-year-old as suspect in Tumbler Ridge shooting appeared first on Frontpageng.