Canadian authorities have identified the suspect in the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Canada and a nearby residence in British Columbia as 18-year-old Jesse van Rootselaar.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald says the suspect, born a biological male, transitioned approximately six years ago and identified as female.
Rootselaar was found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
McDonald confirmed that at around 1.30pm local time, police received reports of an active shooter at the school.
He says RCMP officers responded within two minutes, heard gunfire, and entered the school, where they discovered multiple victims and the deceased suspect.
He says two firearms were recovered at the scene, including a long gun and a modified handgun, although their exact role in the shooting is still under investigation.
McDonald confirmed that a total of nine people are dead; these include an adult female teacher, three female students, and two male students aged between 13 and 17, all found at the school.
He says two further victims, including an adult woman and a male youth, were discovered at a nearby residence.
He confirmed they were the suspect’s mother and 11-year-old step-brother.
The Deputy Commissioner says more than 100 students and staff were safely evacuated once the area was secured.
He says two seriously injured individuals were airlifted to hospital, while others were triaged and treated locally.
The RCMP also revealed that police had previously attended the suspect’s home on multiple occasions over the years in response to mental health concerns.
McDonald says Rootselaar had been apprehended in the past under the Mental Health Act, and confirmed that two years ago, police had seized firearms from the residence under the Criminal Code.
He adds that those firearms were later returned to the lawful owner after a formal petition.
Authorities say there are no other suspects and believe van Rootselaar acted alone.
Additional resources have been deployed to the area as investigations continue.
Source: BBC News
