BLURB: Canada police identify shooting suspect as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar; say the suspect had apprehended for a mental health assessment on more than one occasion.
OTTAWA
Canadian police identified an 18-year-old woman as the suspect in a deadly school shooting in western Canada, calling it one of the worst mass attacks in the country’s history.
Police said the accused, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had serious mental health issues and acted alone. Investigators said she first killed her mother and stepbrother at their home before going to her former school.
The shooting happened in Tumbler Ridge, a small town in British Columbia. Police later confirmed that the suspect died by suicide. Authorities revised the death toll to nine, including the shooter, after earlier reports said ten.
Officers said they reached the school within minutes of the first emergency call and faced active gunfire. Several people were injured, with two victims still in critical condition in hospital.
The attack shocked Canada, where school shootings are rare. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed deep grief, postponed an overseas visit, and ordered flags on government buildings to fly at half-mast.
Local leaders said Tumbler Ridge is a close-knit community now united in mourning. Police said the motive remains unclear, and investigations are continuing to understand what led to the tragic violence.
Counsellors and support teams have been sent to help students, teachers, and families cope with the trauma. Vigils were held across the town, as residents shared prayers, tears, and messages of strength.
Officials urged calm, asked the public to avoid rumours, and promised a full, transparent inquiry. The tragedy has renewed calls for better mental health care and stronger safety measures to protect children and schools nationwide. Across Canada, communities stood together in grief and solidarity.