Two days after an 18-year-old dropout opened fire at a school in British Columbia, Canada, chilling photos have now surfaced, including one showing the teenager smiling and holding a rifle, The New York Post reported.
Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old transgender woman, allegedly killed her mother and half-brother before opening fire at her former school, Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The youngster looked expressionless in several photos his grandmother shared on Facebook for his 14th birthday.
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In a 2021 post, the accused’s grandmother wrote: “Happy 14th birthday to our grandson Jesse!! Love you always!! XOXO.”
In another photo posted online, Van Rootselaar was seen showing off a rifle and sitting on a sofa with another young child, smiling broadly.
On February 10, an 18-year-old launched a terrifying attack at the family’s home, killing their 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old half-brother before going on a gun rampage and killing at least six inside the school before dying of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Police say they are not aware of a motive for the attack, but said Van Rootselaar had mental health issues. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said the suspect was already known to police, noting that officers had visited the family’s home several times over the years due to concerns related to his mental health.
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Jesse Van Rootselaar left school four years ago
Jesse Van Rootselaar was born biologically male and transitioned and identified as female almost six years ago. They dropped out of high school four years ago, the AFP news agency reported.
According to McDonald, Rootselaar previously had a gun license that had expired. The weapons were previously confiscated from their residence, which were later returned. They have been detained on more than one occasion under the provincial Mental Health Act for assessment, the officer added.
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High school shooting in Canada
The February 10 incident is considered one of Canada’s worst shooting incidents, injuring at least 25 people. In 2020, a shooter in Nova Scotia killed 13 people and started fires that killed nine more.
School shootings are unusual in Canada, a country known for relatively strict gun laws. In response to past mass shootings, the government has introduced stricter gun laws, including expanding the ban on firearms classified as assault weapons.
Among those killed were a 39-year-old teacher and five students, three 12-year-old girls and two boys aged 13 and 12.
Canadian Prime Minister offers condolences
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mourned the victims. Addressing parliament, he said: “Parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers at Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you and Canada stands with you.”
Carney’s office also announced that he had canceled his planned trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Munich. On Wednesday, Carney was due to announce a long-awaited defense industry strategy in Halifax before heading to Europe for the Munich Security Conference.
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka described the loss as “devastating” and said the close-knit community feels like a big family.
“I broke down,” Krakowka said, adding that after living there for 18 years, he likely knew each of the victims.