Ottawa, Feb 12: Investigation into the deadly rampage in Tumbler Ridge has revealed that the 18-year-old suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had a documented history of mental health struggles and repeated police interactions prior to the attack. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed on Wednesday that Van Rootselaar was apprehended multiple times under the Mental Health Act for assessment and follow-up care before the shooting that claimed nine lives.
Authorities noted that the suspect, who had dropped out of secondary school four years ago, first killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their residence. Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commander of the B.C. RCMP, mentioned that while the shooter once held a firearms license, it had expired in 2024. He also stated that firearms previously seized from the family home under the Criminal Code were later returned to the owner following a legal petition.
“Police had attended that residence on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect,” McDonald directly said. He added that officers are still working to determine the origins of the long gun and modified handgun recovered at the school.
