TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — BC RCMP say forensic work continues in the investigation into the fatal shooting in Tumbler Ridge earlier this week, with officers processing multiple scenes and analyzing evidence gathered so far.
Police said Friday that investigators and Forensic Identification Services remain at two locations: Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence. A vehicle linked to the suspect – 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, — located outside the school, is also undergoing examination.
“Work at the school is expected to continue through the weekend, while processing at the residence could be completed by tomorrow (Saturday),” Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald of the RCMP said during a press conference Friday in Tumbler Ridge.
McDonald said the forensic examination of the school is incredibly complex.
“It’s an incredibly traumatic scene to process,” he said. “It has to be done in conjunction with the autopsies and medical examinations of our victims. It may take longer than the weekend.”
McDonald added the RCMP recognizes the community needs to heal and they are trying their best to finish up as soon as possible.
Autopsies on the eight victims and the suspect were expected to be finished by the end of the weekend. Two survivors, identified by police as Maya and Paige, remain in hospital.McDonald said when it comes to the victims, Van Rootselaar didn’t happen to be targeting anyone in particular.
“This suspect, for lack of a better word, hunting,” he said. “They were engaging with anyone they came in contact with.”
Investigators have already interviewed more than 80 students, educators and first responders, with additional interviews ongoing. Police said interviews are being conducted using trauma-informed approaches and that support services remain available.
RCMP said digital and physical evidence is being collected and prioritized, including images and video from witnesses, CCTV footage and recordings from officers’ body-worn cameras. “We have prioritized the analysis of firearms seized from both scenes,” police said, adding that efforts continue to determine the origin and ownership of all weapons involved. McDonald said two firearms were found at the school and two were found at the home of the shooter.
“The shot gun is believed to have been involved with the homicides at that home and has never been previously seized by police,” he said. “Our investigation has also been able to determine that the main firearm used in the mass shooting at the school has never been seized by the RCMP and its origin is currently unknown.”
McDonald said RCMP are trying to identify the owners and sources of the firearms. An online submission portal has been launched to collect additional evidence, including phone video from inside the school. Police are urging witnesses who have not yet spoken with investigators to preserve relevant material and contact the RCMP. “The RCMP would ask all witnesses who have not yet spoken to police to preserve relevant evidence and contact investigators.”
When it comes to online presence and mass shootings, McDonald said oftentimes suspects have indicators or communications with other like-minded individuals.
“We’re trying to pursue all of those leads,” he said. “But there are also many false flags and false trails on the internet, a lot of social media that is factually inaccurate, allegations, photos and videos pertaining to be the suspect – they are not – that’s why we urge extreme caution in the sharing of those images or the propagation of online hate or response because it unfortunate can target innocent individuals.”
A specialized team is also reviewing the suspect’s online activity and previous interactions with police or other professionals.
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