By Dave Workman
Eight people are dead at two different locations following a shooting rampage in the tiny community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, and the presumed killer is also dead, from a self-inflicted wound.
The case has taken on a new dimension, as the suspected killer was a transgender individual.
In a breaking update, the BBC is reporting that British Columbia authorities have identified the killer as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar , who allegedly used “she/her” pronouns. Other reports identified the shooter as having brown hair and wearing a dress. The BBC report noted that Van Rootselaar was “known to police.”
The BBC is reporting another 25 people were “injured” in the attack, which began at about 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday.
Tumbler Ridge is about 600 miles northeast of Vancouver, B.C., near the provincial border with Alberta, according to the Vancouver, Washington Columbian.
Reuters is reporting that the most victims were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, six in all. A seventh person died enroute to the hospital. Two others were found at a private residence in the town of about 2,700. So far, authorities have not established a motive. Among the reported victims are the shooter’s mother, step brother, male and female students at the school and one teacher, according to CNN.
Authorities have not yet released the names of any victims, according to published reports. There has also been no word on the type of firearm used in the attack, but lots of people own guns in northern B.C. and neighboring Alberta, provided they have the proper licenses. Canada does not have the equivalent to the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment.
The Associated Press and other news agencies are reporting that the presumed killer was wearing a dress. The shooter’s identity was also not immediately released by the authorities. Juno News says it spoke with the suspect’s uncle.
The incident comes as about half of Canada’s provinces and two territories have announced they will not participate in the federal government’s ambitious gun “buyback” program. British Columbia is one province which will participate.
According to CNN, this was one of Canada’s deadliest school shootings in decades. The alleged murderer was found dead at the school, the report said.
Canada has far stricter gun control laws than in the United States, with the possible exception of a handful of states where gun laws are considered very restrictive. Concealed Nation is noting how such shootings have previously ignited talk of gun control.
