Canadian authorities have identified Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old trans woman, as the suspect behind the deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeastern British Columbia. The rampage, which unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, left nine people dead, including the gunman, and shocked the remote mining town of around 2,400 residents.

Police earlier said 10 had been killed, but later revised the figure. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed Van Rootselaar died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the school.

The attack marks one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings in recent years, prompting condolences from Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby.

Identity initially disputed

Early reporting led to confusion around the suspect’s name. Some Canadian outlets, including Western Standard and Juno News, initially reported the shooter as Jesse Strang, citing a family source.

Later, the RCMP clarified that the 18-year-old used the name Jesse Van Rootselaar and described the suspect as a woman. As police stated: “Police issued an alert for a ‘female in a dress with brown hair’.”

A former student with a history of mental-health interventions

Van Rootselaar, a former student at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School who dropped out four years ago, had been known to local police. Officers had attended the family home repeatedly over several years because of concerns about her mental health.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said: “Police had attended that (family) residence on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect.”

She had been apprehended multiple times under British Columbia’s Mental Health Act for assessment and treatment.

Police also confirmed that firearms had once been seized from the home, but later returned following an appeal by their legal owner. Van Rootselaar previously held a firearms licence that expired in 2024.

Killings began at home before the school rampage

Investigators believe the attack started at Van Rootselaar’s family residence, where her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother were found dead. A young relative reportedly ran to a neighbour for help, leading officers to the bodies.

Authorities say Van Rootselaar then travelled to the secondary school, armed with a long gun and a modified handgun. The RCMP said she opened fire inside the building shortly after 1:20 pm local time.

She was later found dead in the school library, where most of the victims had been shot.

Victims included students and a teacher

At the school, Van Rootselaar killed six people – a 39-year-old teacher, three 12-year-old girls, and two boys aged 12 and 13. Two more victims remain in critical condition. Police say she acted alone.

McDonald told reporters: “We do believe the suspect acted alone ... it would be too early to speculate on motive.”

Trans identity and past warnings from family

Some earlier media reports circulated claims from a family member that the suspect was transgender. The mother, Jennifer Strang – who was among the victims – had previously spoken online about anti-trans hostility, urging people to reject hate.

Reports also state that Van Rootselaar began her social transition around six years ago and was assigned male at birth.

A photograph of the teenager holding a rifle, apparently taken at home, has been widely shared on social media.

A community in mourning

Tumbler Ridge was placed under a temporary shelter-in-place order during the attack, with residents told to stay indoors until the threat was contained. Students and staff were later evacuated safely.

Both the town’s elementary and secondary schools will remain closed for the rest of the week. Counselling services have been organised for students, families and staff as the community grapples with the scale of the tragedy.

Among Canada’s deadliest shootings

The Tumbler Ridge attack ranks among the worst in Canada’s recent history, alongside the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage that killed 22 and the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, which claimed 14 women’s lives.

Investigators continue to examine the weapons used, the suspect’s mental-health history, and how the victims may have been connected to the gunman.