In a chilling account from a survivor, the 18-year-old transgender individual behind a deadly shooting spree in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, allegedly stormed a local school with the intent to kill his surviving siblings following the murders of his mother and stepbrother at home.
The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday when Jesse Van Rootselaar first attacked at his residence in the quiet community, fatally shooting his 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Strang, and his 11-year-old stepbrother. He then made his way to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, a small rural institution serving about 160 students, where his younger brother and sisters were present.According to 17-year-old student Duncan McKay, who spoke to media outlets, Van Rootselaar’s motive at the school was clear: “I am positive he went to finish off his family.”
However, the rampage resulted in the deaths of unrelated victims instead. Authorities released the names of those killed on Thursday: 12-year-olds Zoey Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, Kylie Smith, and Abel Mwansa; 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield; and 39-year-old educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand. Van Rootselaar, whose online profiles revealed a fixation on firearms and narcotics, ended the assault by taking his own life at the school. The incident left at least 25 others wounded. McKay recounted the horror from his perspective, explaining that he was in the midst of a badminton game when he heard over a dozen gunshots that resembled “a hammer banging on metal.”
He and a fellow student fled to an equipment storage area, hiding in silence and darkness for three hours until law enforcement arrived to guide them out. During their concealment, a teacher inspecting the doors came under fire, with two bullets piercing through—one narrowly missing McKay’s leg and the other embedding near his head.
This event has shaken the tight-knit town, highlighting the devastating impact of transgender violence.