The father of **Jesse Van Rootselaar**, the perpetrator of a tragic school shooting in **Tumbler Ridge**, British Columbia, is publicly distancing himself from his son following the devastating events. In a statement to the CBC, **Justin Van Rootselaar** emphasized that he had not played a role in his son’s life, asserting that he is not responsible for the heartache caused by the attack that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including six children.
“I was estranged from Jesse Strang and was not part of his life,” Justin Van Rootselaar stated, using the surname of Jesse’s mother, **Jennifer Strang**, who was among the victims. He explained that Jennifer had excluded him from their lives, stating, “His mother declined my involvement from the beginning, and I was not given the opportunity to be a part of raising him.” He further clarified that Jesse did not use the **Van Rootselaar** family name at any point.
On **March 5, 2024**, Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, shot and killed his mother and his 11-year-old step-brother at their home before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where he opened fire, killing five students and a teacher. The situation ended with Jesse taking his own life at the school. Law enforcement recovered a long gun and a modified handgun from the scene.
According to **Royal Canadian Mounted Police** Deputy Commissioner **Dwayne McDonald**, Jesse was “born a biological male” but began transitioning to female approximately six years ago. He frequently shared details about his transition on social media. McDonald noted that police had visited the family home multiple times over the years due to concerns regarding Jesse’s mental health. There were instances where the troubled teen was taken into custody for assessments under Canada’s Mental Health Act.
In his statement, Justin expressed his sorrow for the innocent victims and the community affected by the shooting. “This is a time for compassion, for holding one another close, and for supporting the families who are grieving such unimaginable loss,” he remarked. He also requested respect for their family’s grief, stating, “As we respect your grief, we respectfully ask that you also respect ours.” He indicated that no further statements would be made.
The shooting has left the small community of Tumbler Ridge in shock, grappling with the aftermath of such an unprecedented tragedy. The impacts of mental health and the complexities surrounding Jesse’s identity will likely be part of ongoing discussions as the community seeks to heal from this heartbreaking event.
