Investigators have not provided a motive for one of the worst massacres in Canadian history, Reuters writes.
The shooter, identified by police as Jesse Van Rootselaar, committed suicide after Tuesday’s shooting in Tumbler Ridge, a remote community of 2,400 residents. Police have reduced the number of victims to nine, including Van Rootselaar, from the originally reported ten.
“Police have visited the house on several occasions over the past few years, dealing with mental health issues related to the suspect,” said Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia.
Unlike in the United States, school shootings are almost non-existent in Canada.
– We’ll get through this. We will learn from this – said a visibly shaken Prime Minister Mark Carney.
He postponed his trip to Europe and ordered flags on all government buildings to be flown at half-mast for the next seven days. Deputies in the Lower House observed a minute of silence.
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka said the community is one big family.
According to police, Van Rootselaar, who was born male but has identified as female for the past six years, first killed her mother, 39, and half-brother, 11, in the family home. Then she went to the school, where she killed the teacher (39) and five students – three 12-year-old girls and two 12- and 13-year-old boys. Police found a long rifle and a modified handgun.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
