By Blessing Nweke

An 18-year-old has been identified as the suspect in a mass shooting that left eight people dead and dozens injured in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Police named Jesse Van Rootselaar as the alleged gunman. The suspect was found dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School from what investigators described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), six people were killed at the school: a 39-year-old female educator, three 12-year-old girls, a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy. At least 25 others were injured, with two victims airlifted to hospital, where they remain in serious condition.

Two additional victims — the suspect’s 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother — were found dead at a nearby home. Police said the shooting at the residence occurred before the suspect went to the school.

Authorities stated that Van Rootselaar was born biologically male and had begun transitioning to female approximately six years ago. RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said the suspect was known to police, with prior visits to the family home linked in part to mental health concerns. The suspect had previously held a valid firearms licence, which had since expired.

Officers responded to reports of an active shooter at approximately 13:30 local time on Tuesday and arrived within two minutes, entering the school while gunfire was ongoing. Two firearms — a long gun and a modified handgun — were recovered at the scene.

Tumbler Ridge, a town of about 2,400 residents, is now grappling with what officials described as an unimaginable tragedy. Prime Minister Mark Carney and local leaders urged unity and support for the grieving community.