Tumbler Ridge, Canada — In the wake of a tragic school shooting that claimed eight lives, including those of six children, the estranged father of the shooter is expressing his anguish while distancing himself from his son. Justin Van Rootselaar released a statement revealing that he had little to no involvement in the life of his son, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who has been identified as a transgender individual.

“I was estranged from Jesse Strang and was not part of his life,” Justin stated, highlighting that his son did not carry the Van Rootselaar surname during his life. The shooter’s mother, Jennifer Strang, was among those killed in the incident, which has devastated the small community of Tumbler Ridge.

Justin expressed his sorrow for the families affected by the tragedy, conveying that the pain caused by Jesse’s actions weighs heavily on his heart. “While that distance is the reality of our relationship, it does not lessen the heartbreak I feel for the pain that has been caused to innocent people and to the town we call home,” he added.

The shocking event unfolded earlier this week when Jesse initially killed his mother and stepbrother at their residence before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where he opened fire, resulting in the deaths of five students and a teacher. After the rampage, Jesse took his own life, leaving behind a community grappling with the aftermath of the violence.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald reported that Jesse was born male and had started transitioning approximately six years ago. The details of his mental health struggles have surfaced, with police having visited the family home on several occasions due to concerns about Jesse’s well-being. There were instances where he was taken into custody for mental health assessments under Canada’s Mental Health Act.

As the community reels from this unimaginable loss, Justin Van Rootselaar called for compassion and support for grieving families. “This is a time for compassion, for holding one another close, and for supporting the families who are grieving such unimaginable loss,” he said. He urged for mutual respect regarding the shared grief, emphasizing that his family, too, is mourning the tragedy.

In a somber reflection of the events, community members are left to process the scope of the tragedy, as many seek answers in the face of such violence. The shooting has raised questions about mental health resources, the support for at-risk youth, and the broader implications of tragic events that shake the foundation of small towns. In the wake of the deadly incident, the healing process is just beginning for Tumbler Ridge’s residents, who are coming together to support one another in this dark time.