Police Describe Tumbler Ridge Shooter as 'Hunting' Without Specific Targets
In a chilling update delivered on Friday, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald provided new details about the tragic shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Police now believe that 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar did not have a specific target when she entered the school armed with two firearms. Instead, authorities described her actions as appearing to be "hunting," engaging with anyone she encountered during the violent incident.
Chaotic Scene and Police Response
The first officers to arrive at the school faced immediate gunfire as they ascended a staircase toward the library area. According to McDonald, police received the alert and responded within just two minutes, finding a scene of utter chaos with fire alarms blaring and students in distress. Someone leaned out a window and shouted that the suspect was upstairs in the library, which sits above the school's main entryway.
"From the moment police drew fire on the stairway, no other students were injured by the shooter," McDonald emphasized during the briefing. After the initial exchange of gunfire with police, the shooter fired another burst that wasn't directed at any person before taking her own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Victims and Community Impact
The shooting claimed six lives at the school, including five students and one teacher. One victim was discovered in a stairwell, while the others were found in the library. Additionally, the bodies of Van Rootselaar's mother and younger stepbrother were discovered at a nearby residence.
As McDonald shared these grim details, forensic teams continued processing what he described as a complex and "traumatic scene" at the school. The community prepared for an evening vigil expected to be attended by the prime minister and other senior political figures, coming together to mourn the devastating loss.
Weapons Investigation and Ongoing Questions
McDonald revealed more information about the weapons used in the attack, including a long gun and a modified rifle found at the school. The firearm believed to have caused the most significant damage had not been previously seized by the RCMP, raising important questions about how the suspect obtained it.
"We're trying to determine how our suspect got that firearm," McDonald stated during the update. Two additional guns, including a shotgun believed to have been used in the family killings, were discovered at Van Rootselaar's mother's home. Neither of these weapons had been previously seized by police either.
Survivors and Recovery
Two victims remain hospitalized following the shooting. Twelve-year-old Maya Gebala is in critical condition, while 19-year-old Paige Hoekstra is recovering after undergoing surgery. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the violence as investigators work to piece together the full sequence of events.
McDonald highlighted the importance of the rapid police response, noting that moving directly toward the threat likely saved additional lives. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the complete circumstances surrounding this tragic event that has left a small community in mourning.
