New details are emerging about the online history of the suspect in the deadly Tumbler Ridge school shooting in British Columbia, revealing a deep fascination with violence, mass killers and graphic content prior to the attack, investigators say. Authorities have been combing through the digital footprint of 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who killed nine people on February 10 — including relatives and students — before taking their own life, in what has become one of Canada’s most devastating school shootings in decades.
An analysis by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism found the shooter frequented gore-sharing websites and forums known for violent content, including “WatchPeopleDie,” where users post images and videos of torture, shootings and other graphic violence. Van Rootselaar’s activity on platforms like YouTube and Reddit also showed admiration for weapons and past mass shooters, researchers said.
Experts suggest this extensive exposure and engagement with violent media and communities may have played a role in shaping the suspect’s mindset, adding to ongoing discussions about the influence of online spaces on vulnerable individuals. Authorities continue to investigate, and police have not yet determined a clear motive for the attack.
— news as reported
