Police in British Columbia have identified an 18-year-old, Jesse Van Rootselaar, as the suspect in a shooting that left eight people dead and dozens injured in Canada.
Authorities said Van Rootselaar was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Six people were killed and at least 25 others injured at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Two additional victims—the suspect’s mother, aged 39, and stepbrother, aged 11—were found dead at a nearby residence.
Hundreds of mourners gathered on Wednesday night in Tumbler Ridge’s main square and outside the British Columbia legislature in Vancouver to hold vigils, observe moments of silence, and pay tribute to the victims.
“Schools should be safe,” vigil attendee Gigi Rejano told AFP, as mourners lit candles and placed photographs of victims near a tree. In Vancouver, Speaker of the Legislature Raj Chouhan said, “We can only pray together, hold hands together and send our love to all those people,” according to local media.
Police said the shooting at the family home occurred first, after which the suspect went to the school. The school victims included a 39-year-old female educator, three female students aged 12, and two male students aged 12 and 13.
Authorities said there are no indications of other suspects being involved.
Police also disclosed that officers had attended the suspect’s family home on multiple occasions in recent years, some of which were related to mental health concerns. The suspect was known to police and had previously held a valid firearms licence that had since expired.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said Van Rootselaar was born male and began transitioning to female approximately six years ago. British Columbia Premier David Eby said authorities are working with the public health care system to better understand any prior interactions involving the suspect.
Police added that Van Rootselaar had dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School about four years ago.
