Canadian Mass Shooter Confirmed Transgender — Social Media Footprint Shows Path To Radicalization

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed Wednesday that the suspect in one of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history was trans.

The RCMP provided an update on the tragic shooting that shook the nation and left nine dead and 27 injured in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Tuesday, confirming the identity of the suspected shooter as 18-year-old local area resident Jesse Van Rootselaar, according to CBC News.

Initial reports described the shooter as a female with brown hair, wearing a dress.

Authorities confirmed Van Rootselaar was born a biological male and began transitioning to female approximately six years ago. The timeline suggests Van Rootselaar started his gender transition when he was just 12 years old.

UPDATED: Neighbours say ‘trans man’ suspected in Tumbler Ridge massacre that left 10 dead https://t.co/TLN8dE30SD

— Western Standard (@WSOnlineNews) February 11, 2026

The social media footprint allegedly tied to Van Rootselaar shows a dangerous, downward path to radicalization.

Police confirmed that Van Rootselaar’s mother, Jennifer Strang, and 11-year-old stepbrother were killed in the attack. Purported screenshots from Jennifer Strang’s Facebook page show her linking to her “[son’s] … YouTube channel,” jesseboy347. The account name appears to have later been changed to “JessJess347.”

The YouTube account features the transgender flag and uses “she/her” pronouns.

The profile image is an anime figure overtop a transgender pride background, alongside an SKS rifle.

Juno News claimed the channel featured just one public post, uploaded six months before the shooting. The post read, “I’ve been pretty um, aimless.” (RELATED: Worst Mass Shooting In Decades Reportedly Leaves 9 Dead, Dozens Injured In Canada)

A Reddit account with a similar username, jesseboy347, depicted identity issues and biological confusion.

In a now-deleted post from 2023, jesseboy347 described an obsession with anime and frustration with body image.

“How do I stop comparing myself to fictional characters?” the individual wrote.

“I’m trans MtF, I’m pre-HRT 15yo and I’ve been viewing a lot of anime related content recently, was never into it before. The characters are always so cute!”

The post continued, “I’m super skinny, so that sometimes makes me feel kinda good! But I’m Pre-HRT and my expectations are minimal for chest growth, and I’m 6ft tall! Why can’t I be petit an smol?”

It’s unclear why the messages, visible Wednesday morning, were stripped from the internet.

Jennifer identified Jesse on her alleged Facebook page with her last name, Strang, rather than Van Rootselaar. Juno News said they spoke to Russell G. Strang, who claimed to be the uncle of “Jesse Strang” and said his nephew was responsible for the mass shooting.

I am devastated by today’s horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence.

I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 11, 2026

The RCMP also indicated in their press conference that Van Rootselaar had a history of mental health issues and that there had been prior calls to the home.