Posts From Mother of Canadian School Shooter Reveal Advocacy for Child’s Transition Prior to Deadly Rampage
TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. – Newly surfaced social media posts and videos have revealed that Jennifer Strang, the mother of the 18-year-old identified as the perpetrator of the deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, was a vocal advocate for her child’s gender transition.
The shooter, identified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as Jesse Van Rootselaar, a transgender female, killed eight people on Tuesday, including her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother, before taking her own life.
Deep Search: Advocacy and Tragedy
In a video that has circulated widely following the tragedy, Strang is seen passionately defending transgender rights and addressing online criticism. She urges parents and the public to “get their sh*t together” to prevent children from growing up in a “world full of hate.” The footage indicates Strang’s active role in supporting her child, who police confirmed began transitioning approximately six years ago at the age of 12.
“I really hope the hate I see online is just bored old people and not true hatred,” Strang stated in the video, emphasizing the mental health toll that intolerance takes on transgender youth. She pleaded for the public to “evolve” and “do better,” explicitly linking online rhetoric to suicide risks among marginalized children.
Background: The Tumbler Ridge Incident
The attack has devastated the small, close-knit community of Tumbler Ridge in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. According to RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, the rampage began at the Van Rootselaar family home, where the bodies of Strang and her younger son were discovered. The shooter then proceeded to the local high school, killing a 39-year-old teacher, three 12-year-old female students, and two male students aged 12 and 13.
Authorities confirmed that Van Rootselaar had dropped out of the school four years prior. Police had visited the suspect’s home on multiple occasions in recent years related to mental health concerns, and firearms had previously been seized from the residence but were later returned to their licensed owner.
Objections and Unanswered Questions
While the surfaced posts highlight a mother’s protective stance, they have sparked intense debate regarding the disconnect between Strang’s advocacy and the violence committed by her child. Investigators have not officially linked the mother’s social media activity or her views to the motive behind the shooting.
Law enforcement officials have cautioned against early speculation, noting that while the shooter’s gender identity and mental health history are part of the investigation, the specific trigger for the violence remains unclear. The tragedy stands in stark contrast to the mother’s stated desire to shield her children from a “world full of hatred,” ending instead with her falling victim to the very child she sought to protect.
The investigation is ongoing as the community enters a period of mourning, with flags across Canada flying at half-mast.
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