A suspect has been identified in the wake of the horrific mass shooting in western Canada that claimed the lives of nine people and left over two dozen injured.
Police have identified 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar as the suspect in what is one of Canada’s worst cases of gun violence in decades, in the small community of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia.
Van Rootselaar was said to have identified as female after transitioning around six years ago, according to Dwayne McDonald, deputy commissioner of the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
McDonald said that officers arrived at the scene within two minutes of a 911 call being made, arriving to active gunfire but finding Van Rootselaar dead shortly after.The RCMP commissioner revealed further grim details of the horrific mass killing on Wednesday, detailing that an adult woman and boy found dead at a residential address were the suspect’s mother, 39, and stepbrother, 11.
McDonald said at a press conference: “Police had attended that residence on a number of occasions over the last several years dealing with concerns of mental health with our suspect.”
The most recent visit to the home was in spring 2025 and, on one of these ‘occasions’, officers had seized firearms at the address. He also added that Van Rootselaar had previously held a gun license, but it had expired in 2024 and that she had no weapons registered in her name.
The deputy commissioner also gave some insight into the terrifying attack carried out at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where seven people, including the shooter, were found dead.Detectives believe that the suspect began their violent spree at their home before going to the school
25 people were also injured during the school shooting, a handful of whom remain critically injured.
RCMP initially stated that 10 people had been killed in the Tumbler Ridge shooting, but later revised the number down to nine.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, looking visibly shaken by the shooting, told the country’s parliament: « Tumbler Ridge … is one of the youngest towns in the great province of British Columbia, carved out of the wilderness in the 1980s, built on the promise of the resource economy and by the determination of its residents.
« It’s a town of miners, teachers, construction workers, families who have built their lives there, people who have always shown up for each other there. »
He added to his fellow Canadians: « We will get through this. We will learn from this. »
A man who killed two women and injured three others in a horrific Kentucky church shooting has been identified.
47-year-old Guy House died after three police officers opened fire at him near the Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington on Sunday (July 13), according to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.
Beverly Gumm, 72, and Christina Combs, 32, were both pronounced dead at the scene, while a Kentucky State Police trooper was shot after he pulled House over close to Terminal Drive near Blue Grass Airport, CBS News reports.
Lexington Police Department have confirmed the unidentified officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Two male parishioners were also taken to hospital, with one said to be in a critical condition.
“Three Lexington police officers fired their service weapons. In accordance with Lexington police department policies, the officers had their issued body-worn cameras (Bwcs) activated,” Lexington police said.“The incident is being investigated by the Kentucky state police critical incident response team, and the department’s public integrity unit will conduct an internal review of the incident.”
The police department went on to confirm the officers who shot House have now been placed on administrative leave, as per the department’s policy.
House was detained back in 2022 for resisting arrest and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, while he also tested positive for methamphetamine in a court-ordered drug test that formed part of his probation.
While he was released in January this year, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports that House was meant to appear in court on Monday (July 14) on domestic violence charges.
As for his career, House had aspired to be a successful rapper and went by the name of ‘H***y Kong’.
Amid the tragedy in Kentucky, State Attorney General Russell Coleman has confirmed officials are on hand to offer assistance to local and state agencies. »Today, violence invaded the Lord’s House, » he said. « The attack on law enforcement and people of faith in Lexington shocked the entire commonwealth. »
Meanwhile, Andy Beshear, Kentucky’s governor, posted a statement on Twitter following news of the shooting.
« Violence like this has no place in our commonwealth or country, » he said. « Please join [my wife] Britainy and me as we pray for the families of those lost, each one a child of God gone too soon.
« Thank you to the @lexkyp0lice and @kystatep0lice for their brave efforts today. Kentucky, let’s stand strong together and support our Lexington neighbors during this difficult time. »
Robin Westman, the suspect in the Minneapolis school shooting, wrote a specific eerie detail prior to undertaking the horrid attack in a disturbing manifesto.
The 23-year-old opened fire from outside Annunciation Catholic Church on Wednesday (August 27), with officials confirming an eight-year-old and a 10-year-died were pronounced dead on the scene.
A further 17 people have been injured, including 14 children.
Westman was a former pupil at the school, while the shooter’s mother was also an employee at the school prior to retiring in 2021.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed in a press conference on Wednesday that Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Westman penned a ‘manifesto’ prior to carrying out the attack and documented its disturbing details in a now-deleted YouTube video.
As per the New York Post, Westman wrote about what they wanted to wear on the day of the shooting. »I don’t want to dress girly all the time but I guess sometimes I really like it. I know I am not a woman but I definitely don’t feel like a man … I really like my outfit, » they wrote.
« I look pretty, smart and modest. I think I want to wear something like this for my shooting, » Westman added. « I hate my face. I hate when I can see it. I don’t want to be seen. »
The disturbing letter also saw Westman make a disturbing plea to their family and friends, with it all beginning with an apology.
« I don’t expect forgiveness, and I don’t expect any apology, » they wrote. « I have to hold much weight. But to my family and those close to me, I do apologise for the effects my actions will have on your lives.
« Please know I care for all of you so much, and it pains me to bring this storm of chaos into your lives. This will affect so many more people than the ones that are immediately involved. »Donald Trump took to Truth Social to confirm he had been ‘fully briefed’ regarding the shooting in Minneapolis, adding: « The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. »
The president said that the White House would ‘continue to monitor this terrible situation’, before saying: « Please join me in praying for everyone involved. »
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had also been briefed on the situation, with the politician penning on Twitter: « I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence. »
A Texas mom has been charged after being accused of helping her teenage son plan out ‘mass targeted violence’ at his school.
Ashley Pardo is now the first person in Bexar County history to face a charge of aiding in the commission of terrorism after officials accused her of arming her 13-year-old son with a plot to carry out mass violence at his San Antonio middle school.
According to court documents, Pardo allegedly bought several things to help her son commit a shooting, such as ammunition, tactical gear, and loaded magazines.
Authorities went on to allege her son drew maps of his school months before his arrest which was marked ‘suicide route,’ as his fascination with white supremacist mass shooters led him to plan an attack at Rhodes Middle School.
Shockingly, it is claimed that Pardo gave her son the equipment to kill ‘in exchange for babysitting his siblings’, officials said.
But that aiding in the commission of terrorism isn’t the only charge Pardo is facing, as she was arrested on Friday (August 1) on a new charge of endangering a child with criminal negligence.
The fresh charge came after an image was found among evidence of the shooting plot, which was allegedly sent from Pardo to the father of an 11-month-old child, according to the arrest warrant.The image is said to show her holding a shotgun to the infant’s head, with her finger on the trigger guard as the baby reached for the barrel of the gun, police said.
In the text, she allegedly called the baby a ‘brat’ and stated: “Tell her to keep being bad.”
After her arrest on Friday, the mother was ordered to have no contact with her children, and she must wear an ankle monitor if released from jail.
She is also unable to own firearms or drink alcohol, as per the judge’s orders.
According to the police, she showed no guilt for the charges she faces, with San Antonio Police Chief William McManus stating during a news conference in May: “She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior.“Her behavior is not only dangerous – it’s abhorrent, especially as a parent.”
The mom’s teen son had previously been found hitting a live bullet with a hammer and searching up the 2019 Christchurch Mosque massacre, allegedly telling his grandmother – who reported it to the police – that he was ‘going to be famous’.
This was a reference to Brenton Tarrant, who committed the mass shooting on the New Zealand church, killing 51.
As for their home, authorities say they found white supremacist slogans and symbols such as references to ’14 worlds,’ ‘SS,’ and swastikas, as well as an improvised explosive device, handwritten lists of mass shooters and their victims, and evidence of an obsession with violence.
McManus said the family’s behavior, and what was found within the home, had forced authorities to act fast.
“There were some very disturbing things found inside that house,” he said. “That kind of was an indication to us that we needed to move very quickly.”
San Antonio Independent School District officials found violent drawings in the boy’s possession, including maps of the school.
Despite the findings, he was allowed back on campus on May 8 after spending time at an alternative programme, with SAISD Police Chief Johnny Reyes stating: “I can understand the parents’ concerns. But again, the students still have a right to be in school unless it poses an immediate threat.”
According to court documents, on May 12, the teen arrived to school wearing a mask, tactical pants, and a camouflage jacket, causing the school to alert the police.
When they found him off-campus and arrested him, the search of the home revealed the disturbing finds, and Pardo was later taken into custody before being charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism.
As for the teen, he is facing a felony weapons charge, with more charges expected to be added on.
His next hearing is set for August 7.A 13-year-old has been arrested after police allege the teen had plotted to commit a school shooting, while his mom is also behind bars – accused of aiding her son.
A community in San Antonio, Texas, descended into panic in May after it became known that a boy had been preparing to carry out a massacre on the grounds of Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School – located just a 15-minute drive from the city center.
In May, the schoolboy arrived on campus ‘wearing a mask, camouflage jacket and tactical pants but left shortly after’, police confirmed – before later catching up with him away from the school and charged him with terrorism.
According to court documents, his mom Ashley Pardo had taken him to a military store where she bought him the gear, including ammunition. The 33-year-old reportedly purchased the equipment as a reward ‘in exchange for babysitting his siblings’, officials claim.
Meanwhile, the teen’s grandmother blew the whistle on her grandson as she rang the police to inform them of her fears, after he told her that he was ‘going to be famous’ before leaving for school on May 12.
Who is Ashley Pardo and her son?
Ashley Pardo is a mom of at least two children – the first being the 13-year-old who she is accused of having been complicit in his plans to carry out a school shooting. The other known child being an infant, who at 11 months old, she took a picture of herself pointing a shotgun at her baby.
Her teen son was a student at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School and was a known delinquent, with court records noting that he was accused of setting fires in dumpsters near apartment complexes when he was just 11 years old.
It has also been reported that the teenager has previously been found hitting a live bullet with a hammer.
Both Pardo and her son remain in custody.
Why have police not named the boy?
In the US, children under the age of 18, who have been arrested in relation to a crime, are awarded anonymity until adulthood or up until their case is transferred to an adult court.
In this instance, Pardo’s teen son’s identity will be protected by law in the initial stages of the case, but could be released if a judge ruled that it is in the public’s interest due to the severity of the case.
Charges Ashley Pardo faces and court orders
Pardo has become the first person in Bexar County history to face a charge of aiding in the commission of terrorism, after officials accused her of arming her 13-year-old son with a plot to carry out mass violence at his San Antonio middle school.
As mentioned previously, Pardo allegedly bought several things to help her son commit a shooting, such as ammunition, tactical gear, and loaded magazines – according to court documents
It is claimed that Pardo gave her son the equipment to kill ‘in exchange for babysitting his siblings’, officials said.
The mom was arrested in relation to the incident but posted a $75,000 bond.
Aiding in the commission of terrorism isn’t the only charge Pardo is facing, as she was arrested yesterday (August 1) on a new charge of endangering a child with criminal negligence.
The fresh charge came after an image was found among evidence of the shooting plot, which was allegedly sent from Pardo to the father of her 11-month-old child, according to the arrest warrant.
The image is said to show her holding a shotgun to the infant’s head, with her finger on the trigger guard as the baby reached for the barrel of the gun, police said.
Ashley Pardo and her son remain in custody in connection to the alleged school shooting plot (Police handout)
Ashley Pardo and her son remain in custody in connection to the alleged school shooting plot (Police handout)
In the text, she allegedly called the baby a ‘brat’ and stated: “Tell her to keep being bad.”
After her arrest on Friday, the mother was ordered to have no contact with her children, and she must wear an ankle monitor if released from jail – with a bond set at $45,000.
She is also unable to own firearms or drink alcohol, as per the judge’s orders.
According to the police, she showed no guilt for the charges she faces, with San Antonio Police Chief William McManus stating during a news conference in May: “She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior.
“Her behavior is not only dangerous – it’s abhorrent, especially as a parent.”
Charges Pardo’s son faces
The teenager is currently only facing a third-degree felony firearm charge – possession of a prohibited weapon, although it is expected that he will face more charges.
He has also been deemed a risk to public safety, and so his grandmother’s plea for him to be released into her custody with a GPS tracker on has been thrown out by the judge.
His next hearing is set for August 7.
What inspired the boy to want to commit school shooting?
Authorities allege Pardo’s son drew maps of his school months before his arrest, which was marked ‘suicide route,’ as his fascination with white supremacist mass shooters led him to plan an attack at Rhodes Middle School.
It was discovered that the teen had been researching the facts around the horrific 2019 Christchurch Mosque massacre, allegedly telling his grandmother – who reported it to the police – that he was ‘going to be famous’.
This was a reference to Brenton Tarrant, who committed the mass shooting on the New Zealand church, killing 51.
As for their home, authorities say they found white supremacist slogans and symbols such as references to ’14 worlds,’ ‘SS,’ and swastikas, as well as an improvised explosive device, handwritten lists of mass shooters and their victims, and evidence of an obsession with violence.
McManus said the family’s behavior, and what was found within the home, had forced authorities to act fast.
“There were some very disturbing things found inside that house,” he said. “That kind of was an indication to us that we needed to move very quickly.”Why school let the teen back in despite findings
San Antonio Independent School District officials found violent drawings in the boy’s possession, including maps of the school.
Despite the findings, he was allowed back on campus on May 8 after spending time at an alternative programme, with SAISD Police Chief Johnny Reyes stating: “I can understand the parents’ concerns. But again, the students still have a right to be in school unless it poses an immediate threat.”
According to court documents, on May 12, the teen arrived to school wearing a mask, tactical pants, and a camouflage jacket, causing the school to alert the police.
What Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School said
On May 12, Rhodes Middle School’s principal Felismina Martinez issued a statement to parents on Facebook.
« Dear Families, I want to inform you of an incident that involved a student. Our police department investigated a concern with some posts the student made online, » it read.
« The student was detained off-campus and is being charged with Terrorism. Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care.
« We will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure. Student safety is a top priority at SAISD (San Antonio Independent School District) schools, and we want to keep families informed of situations as soon as we are able. We thank you for your support and understanding. »
A week later, the school posted to the social media platform to inform parents that students should not bring backpacks to the school gates for the remainder of the academic year.
« No more student backpacks will be allowed for the rest of the school year, » it urged.How parents reacted
Understandably, parents were worried following the news that the youngster had plotted to carry out a school shooting on Rhodes Middle School’s grounds, as well as alleging that the only communication of the incident they received was from a Facebook post.
One concerned mother commented under the initial post: « This should not be the only way to communicate something like this?!? The mother is out on bond and I do not feel safe sending my son the rest of the school year!
« A phone call or email would have been better than posting on Facebook!! What if something had happened?!??? »
While another mom added: « Poorly worded response from the school. Made the situation sound a lot less serious than it really is.
« The tone of this letter sounds like Rhodes had something simple as an electrical issue at school not a possible mass shooting being intervened. »
With a third typing: « What’s going to happen now ? She’s out and bond & who knows where her child is ? What if they both go to the school ? »
A worry that other parents agreed with, as another mom asked: « What are the precautions taken in this situation? I’m scared to send my child to school.. »
