Trans 'gunperson' who murdered mother and brother 'tried to kill his family before'

The 18-year-old killed three female students, all 12 years old; two male students, aged 12 and 13; and one 39-year-old teacher.

But before the troubled teen made it to campus, where he turned the gun on himself following the deadly spree, he killed his 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home.

A motive for one of Canada's deadliest shootings has not yet been established by investigators, with a police spokesman admitting they "might never be able to".

But, according to a neighbour, Tuesday's tragic events were not the first sinister signs Van Rootselaar displayed; rather another dark chapter in the troubled youngster's life.

Melanie, who lives several houses down from the home Van Rootselaar shared with his mother and four younger siblings, said he had previously deliberately set fire to the house in 2023.

"A couple of years back, he lit their house on fire because he was trying to kill his own family... it almost completely burnt down," she told The Telegraph.

"He was just sitting out in the front when the fire trucks arrived."

She added how "everyone on the street saw the blaze", which destroyed most of their home. This was "dismissed" by the police at the time.

The teenager had previously admitted to the arson attack in a social media post, writing: "I went crazy and burnt my house down my second time trying shrooms but still have a desire to try alternatives".

Van Rootselaar, who was transgender, transitioned about six years ago, according to police.

According to social media posts, Van Rootselaar had access to guns and was enthusiastic about hunting. His late mother, Jennifer Strang, held a firearms licence, but there were no weapons registered to it, police confirmed.

Two firearms, a long gun and a modified rifle were used by the shooter; two at home and two separate weapons at the school.

Social media activity linked to Van Rootselaar also appears to discuss the use of firearms and a passion for hunting.

Tumbler Ridge is well known for its nature and is surrounded by wildlife such as deer, moose, elk, wolves, and grizzly and black bears.

Police had visited Van Rootselaar multiple times in recent years regarding mental health issues, and on some occasions, "the suspect was apprehended for assessment and follow up", Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said.

Firearms were seized from Van Rootselaar’s residence a couple of years ago, but were later returned to him when the owner petitioned for them.

The most recent police visit, last spring, was over "concerns regarding mental health, self-harm", Mr McDonald explained.

Recent revelations of Van Rootselaar's fragile mental state and run-ins with the police have left locals feeling the horror could have been prevented.

"This all could have been avoided if there was proper mental healthcare," said Melanie, citing the lack of accessible facilities in the north of British Columbia. "People are crying for help all around here."

Neal Smith, 39, another close neighbour of Van Rootselaar, said: "Nothing like this should have ever happened here, this is a place where my kids play on the street all day, we know everybody here."

Sheryl Crawford, who was handing out food and teddy bears to grieving locals in the community centre, described the events as "unreal, heartbreaking. It should never have happened but it did".

"The toughest part is that someone in this community could do such a thing," she said.

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