The recent mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, a small town in British Columbia, has left the community in shock. The teenage shooter, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, had a history of mental health issues and had been visited by police multiple times prior to the incident.
On Tuesday, Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, taking the lives of eight individuals, including six children aged 12 to 13, and injuring at least 25 others. The attack also claimed the lives of his mother and step-brother in a nearby home, marking it as a tragedy that deeply affects the close-knit community of about 2,400 residents.
Authorities revealed that the suspect had previously been apprehended under the Mental Health Act and possessed a firearms license. It remains unclear who owned the weapons used in the attack, as Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to visit Tumbler Ridge in the aftermath of the incident.
British Columbia Premier David Eby mentioned efforts to understand what interactions may have taken place between the healthcare system and the suspect following his mental health assessments. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed a history of police visits to the suspect's home due to mental health struggles.
In response to this tragedy, British Columbia has declared a day of mourning across the province, as local residents come together to honor the victims and seek clarity around gun ownership policies and mental health services availability. Furthermore, the response to the shooting has sparked broader discussions about mental health intervention and gun control measures in Canada.
On Tuesday, Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, taking the lives of eight individuals, including six children aged 12 to 13, and injuring at least 25 others. The attack also claimed the lives of his mother and step-brother in a nearby home, marking it as a tragedy that deeply affects the close-knit community of about 2,400 residents.
Authorities revealed that the suspect had previously been apprehended under the Mental Health Act and possessed a firearms license. It remains unclear who owned the weapons used in the attack, as Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to visit Tumbler Ridge in the aftermath of the incident.
British Columbia Premier David Eby mentioned efforts to understand what interactions may have taken place between the healthcare system and the suspect following his mental health assessments. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed a history of police visits to the suspect's home due to mental health struggles.
In response to this tragedy, British Columbia has declared a day of mourning across the province, as local residents come together to honor the victims and seek clarity around gun ownership policies and mental health services availability. Furthermore, the response to the shooting has sparked broader discussions about mental health intervention and gun control measures in Canada.
