Suspect identified as Canada reels from school mass shooting

The suspected killer who shot dead at least eight people in a high school mass shooting that has horrified Canada has been identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, police have said.

At a press conference early this morning (Australia time), British Columbia Royal Canadian Mounted Police (BC RCMP) Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald confirmed police believed Van Rootselaar, a resident of the small town of Tumbler Ridge, had carried out the country's worst mass shooting in years.

The death toll was revised down from nine this morning, after police revealed one of the victims previously believed to have died on route to hospital had in fact survived.

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More than 25 people were wounded in the attack in the small mountain community, including two with life-threatening injuries who were airlifted for medical care, police said.

The village of 2700 people in the Canadian Rockies is more than 1000km north-east of Vancouver, near the provincial border with Alberta.

British Columbia Premier David Eby told reporters that police reached the school within two minutes.

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A video showed students walking out with their hands raised as police vehicles surrounded the building and a helicopter circled overhead.

Police found six people dead, RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd said.

Van Rootselaar was also found dead of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Two more were found dead at a residence that authorities believe was connected to the attack.

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Police have since revealed that Van Roostelaar's mother and step-brother were the two victims found in the residence.

"The deceased victims from the school include an adult female educator, three female students and two male students between the ages of 13 and 17," McDonald said at this morning's press conference.

A "young, female relative" who was at the residence when Van Rootselaar's mother and step-brother were shot, fled to tell neighbours what was happening.

In that time, Van Rootselaar is believed to have made for Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

Police were alerted to reports of the shooting at the school first, and did not receive a call about the residence until 17 minutes later.

McDonald said Van Rootselaar was known to police, who had visited the family's home on mental health-related calls.

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"Police have attended that residence in the past, approximately a couple of years ago, where firearms were seized under the Criminal Code," McDonald said.

"I can say that at a later point in time, the lawful owner of those firearms petitioned for those firearms to be returned, and they were."

He said police had not attended the home since "spring last year". Spring runs from March to June in Canada.

"I can say that on different occasions, the suspect was apprehended for assessment and follow-up," McDonald said, but did not go further into specifics.

It's not known what gun or guns were used in the shooting. McDonald said Van Roostelaar's gun licence had expired in 2024 and she had no firearms registered in her name.

McDonald said the motive was also unknown at this early stage.

"We do believe the suspect acted alone, and there are currently no other outstanding suspects," McDonald said.

"Our investigators remain on scene, actively gathering information to determine the full circumstances of what transpired."

He confirmed that Van Rootselaar had been born biologically male but had transitioned six years ago and identified as female "socially and publicly".

Tributes in parliament

Canada's House of Commons opened their new session with a moment of silence before Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre paid tribute to the victims, their loved ones, and their small community.

Carney said Tumbler Hills represented "the very best of Canada".

"Yesterday morning, parents in Tumbler Ridge sent their children off to school, and some will never be able to hug their children again," he said, speaking in French.

"These children and their teachers bore witness to unheard of cruelty."

The prime minister has cancelled a planned trip to Nova Scotia and Germany, and announced that flags would be flown at half-mast throughout the nation.

Tomorrow - Thursday local time - has been declared a day of mourning in British Columbia.

It was announced in a joint statement from Government House Leader Mike Farnworth, Official Opposition House Leader Á'a:líya Warbus, and BC Greens House Leader Rob Botterell.

Thursday was also set to feature the Throne Speech for the legislative assembly - a ceremony that opens a new season of parliament.

However, that has been postponed and the assembly will instead hold a moment of silence.

"The people of British Columbia mourn together with the people of Tumbler Ridge. We are united and will continue to ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days," the leaders said in their statement.

With CNN.

If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).

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