RCMP identify suspect in B.C. mass shooting that left 9 dead, 27 injured

RCMP have provided an update on the mass shooting that left nine dead and 27 injured in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Tuesday.

Mounties identified the suspect as local resident Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18.At a news conference in Surrey, B.C., police identified the shooter as an 18-year-old female, Jesse Van Rootselaar, someone who B.C. RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said had past interactions with police because of at least one mental health-related call.

One adult educator and five students between 12 and 13 years old were found dead at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, police said.

Leaders around the world, including King Charles, have expressed solidarity with Canadians and the B.C. community.

A small community in B.C. is in mourning after a mass shooting on Tuesday left nine dead, including the suspect, and dozens injured. RCMP have identified the suspect as Van Rootselaar, 18, who was found dead of a 'self-inflicted injury.'

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Those found dead at the school were a female teacher, 39, three girls, all 12, and two boys – one 12 and one 13. The victims found at the Van Rootselaar family home were a 39-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy, both related to the suspect.McDonald described the student victims as "quite young." He said most were born in 2012 and 2013, which would make their ages between 12 or 13.

One was found in a stairwell and the rest were found in the school library.McDonald said Van Rootselaar identified as female but was assigned male at birth. McDonald said she began to transition about six years ago.The officer said police have not found any note yet from Van Rootselaar but it's possible one was written.

McDonald said it is believed the people in the residence are the mother and the step-brother of the suspect.McDonald says two firearms, a long gun and a modified handgun were recovered by responding officers. The role they played will be a significant part of the investigation, he says.

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On X, King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were "profoundly shocked and saddened" and described the shooting as "a senseless act of brutal violence."

The Prince and Princess of Wales have also extended their condolences to those "affected by this devastating loss."

On X, French President Emmanuel Macron described the shootings as "horror" and wrote: “Our thoughts are with the victims, the injured and the entire educational community.”

In the U.K., Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the House of Commons: “This morning I conveyed the U.K.’s deepest condolences to Prime Minister Carney and the people of Canada for the devastating shooting in Tumbler Ridge.”

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper posted on X: "Britain stands with the Canadian people at this moment of profound sorrow and grief."

A similar message came from the Irish leader, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who expressed that Ireland's “thoughts and prayers are with the people of Canada.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the shootings have "deeply shaken us." "Our thoughts are with the people of Tumbler Ridge as they mourn their families, friends and loved ones," Merz posted on X.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “Australian hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims.” Albanese's country is still reeling from the Bondi Beach attack last December, which killed 15 people and injured 39.

On his X account, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "we are shocked" and that "such tragedies should never happen anywhere, in any country in the world."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "India stands in solidarity with the people of Canada in this moment of profound grief."

Canadian embassies and high commissions around the world are lowering the Canadian flag to half-mast on their buildings out of respect for the victims in Tumbler Ridge

@sgtdjones

wow... sad story......rip

McDonald said Van Rootselaar identified as female but was assigned male at birth.

....but, what's this "assigned?"

@FunnyMan

"Identified as female but was assigned male at birth" describes a transgender woman (often abbreviated as a "trans woman"). It means the person was born with male-typical anatomy and was therefore designated "male" by doctors on their birth certificate, but their internal sense of self (gender identity) is female.