Tumbler Ridge Shooting: Father of Shooter Issues Heartfelt Statement, Details of Prior Police Contact Emerge
A wave of grief and questions continues to wash over the community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, following a deadly mass shooting on February 10th, as the father of the 18-year-old shooter, Jesse VanRootselaar, released a statement expressing profound sorrow and revealing a long-standing estrangement from his son. The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of Canada’s firearms laws and mental health support systems.
A Community in Mourning
“There are moments when words feel far too small for the sorrow we are carrying together,” said Justin VanRootselaar in a statement released this week. “What has happened has left an ache in the heart of our town that will not soon fade. In a place where we know each other by name, where we pass one another in the grocery store and gather at the same community events, this loss feels deeply personal to us all.” He extended his deepest condolences to the families affected by the “senseless and unforgivable act of violence,” offering his thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
Estrangement and Heartbreak
The statement revealed a painful personal dimension to the tragedy. Justin VanRootselaar explained that he was estranged from Jesse Strang – the name the shooter used – and had no role in his upbringing. “I was estranged from Jesse Strang and was not part of his life,” he stated. “His mother declined my involvement from the beginning, and I was not given the opportunity to be a part of raising him. Jesse did not use the VanRootselaar family name at any point in his life.” Despite this distance, he emphasized that the heartbreak he feels for the pain inflicted on innocent people and the town remains profound.
“This is a time for compassion, for holding one another close, and for supporting the families who are grieving such unimaginable loss,” VanRootselaar continued. He concluded by requesting respect for both his family’s grief and the grief of those directly impacted by the shooting, stating there would be no further public statements.
Prior Police Intervention and Firearms History
As more details emerge about the shooter, authorities have confirmed prior interactions with law enforcement. The BC RCMP confirmed that multiple visits were made to Jesse VanRootselaar’s home due to concerns regarding his mental health and self-harm.
According to Dept. Comm. Dwayne McDonald, the RCMP commanding officer, police had previously seized firearms from the residence approximately two years ago under the criminal code. “Police have attended that residence in the past, approximately a couple of years ago, where firearms were seized under the criminal code,” he said. Notably, the lawful owner of those firearms later petitioned for their return, and the request was granted. The identity of the firearms owner, the initial reason for seizure, and the rationale behind their return remain unknown.
Red Flag Laws and Potential Gaps
The case has reignited debate surrounding Canada’s firearms regulations, particularly in light of the recently passed “Red Flag” law in 2023. Criminal lawyer Jerry Steele explained that this law allows anyone – not just police – to seek a temporary 30-day prohibition order to remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk. “The idea that someone else in a house could be the problem rather than the firearms owner themselves, that concern is relatively new and I haven’t seen that tested,” Steele noted, highlighting a potential gap in the law’s application.
Shooter’s Background and Transition
Further investigation revealed that Jesse VanRootselaar, who was assigned male at birth, had begun transitioning to a female identity and had dropped out of school roughly four years ago. A gun license held by the shooter had expired in 2024. A long gun and a modified handgun were recovered at the scene of the shooting, and it remains unconfirmed whether these were the same firearms previously seized and returned.
The investigation is ongoing as the community of Tumbler Ridge begins the long process of healing and seeking answers in the wake of this devastating tragedy.
