An 18-year-old has been named as the suspect in a shooting that killed eight people and injured dozens more in British Columbia, Canada.
Police said Jesse Van Rootselaar was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot injury. The motive for the attack is not yet known.
Six people were killed and at least 25 others were injured at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Two others - the suspect's mother, 39, and step-brother, 11 - were found dead at a nearby home.
Authorities said Van Rootselaar was born a biological male but identified as a woman. I can say that Jesse was born as a biological male who approximately six years ago began to transition to female, said Dwayne McDonald, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) deputy commissioner.
The shooting at the nearby home occurred first, and then the suspect went to the school, according to McDonald. The victims at the school included a 39-year-old female educator, three female students aged 12, and two male students aged 12 and 13.
Authorities do not believe there are other suspects involved in the shootings, and police acknowledged that they had previously attended the suspect's family home on multiple occasions regarding mental health concerns.
Van Rootselaar previously held a valid firearm license that has since lapsed, and police confirmed that he had dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School four years ago.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as horrific, highlighting the suffering of the students and teachers during the ordeal. Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka expressed concern for the victims, stating, I will know every victim. I've been here 19 years, and we're a small community. The investigation into the tragedy is underway as the community comes to terms with the losses.
