Canadian police have identified an 18-year-old trans woman with a history of mental health issues as the perpetrator behind a deadly mass shooting in British Columbia that left nine people dead, including members of her own family.
According to authorities, Jesse Van Rootselaar first shot and killed her mother and stepbrother before opening fire at her former high school in Tumbler Ridge, a remote community of about 2,400 residents in the province. Police have not disclosed a motive for the attack, which is being described as one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history.
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The suspect died by suicide following the attack on Tuesday, officials confirmed.
Providing details about the shooter, Police Commander Dwayne McDonald said Rootselaar was a transgender woman who was born biologically male and had dropped out of the targeted high school four years ago.
Police also revealed that Rootselaar had previously held a firearms licence, which had since expired. Firearms had earlier been seized from her residence but were later returned, though investigators did not specify the circumstances surrounding their return.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the small community and renewed debate in Canada over gun control, mental health support, and public safety. Authorities continue to investigate the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
