TUMBLER RIDGE, Canada — An in-depth analysis of the online behavior of an 18-year-old linked to a tragic school shooting last week has revealed alarming patterns of interest in firearms, violent content, and personal struggles related to mental health. Jesse Van Rootselaar, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the attack, had a notable online presence that included frequenting websites known for graphic depictions of violence.
Experts from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue have observed that Van Rootselaar’s digital footprint features a troubling mixture of discussions on mental health and substance abuse, alongside an evident fascination with gore. Their findings indicate that she referred to violent content as “addictive,” highlighting how vulnerable teenagers might be drawn into dark digital communities.
One such site, WatchPeopleDie, is notorious for hosting graphic violence directed at victims, both human and animal. Analysts noted that this platform has been recognized as a shared interest among multiple mass violence perpetrators. They specifically pointed out that Van Rootselaar appeared to have interacted with posts related to Natalie Rupnow, a teenager who previously committed a school shooting in Wisconsin.
Cody Zoschak, a senior manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, emphasized that online environments can exacerbate feelings of isolation among teens. While marginalized youth often seek affirmation from online strangers, Zoschak cautioned that these virtual spaces can turn into dangerous echo chambers, amplifying negative influences. He stated that, “The worst influence you could have was the worst kid in your school. Now, the worst influence you can have is the worst person on the internet.”
According to the institute, Van Rootselaar’s online activity gave off red flags. Analysts traced various accounts back to her from 2019, documenting a progression from innocent video game discussions to her posting a gun photo in 2021. By 2023, her posts increasingly focused on drug use and mental health crises, with a noticeable lack of activity in 2024. However, just five months prior to the shooting, she created an account on WatchPeopleDie and became an active participant in discussions centered on violent content.
On another front, an independent media report revealed that Van Rootselaar had created a mass shooting simulation game within the popular online platform Roblox, further indicating her troubling state of mind. Although that simulation attracted only seven visits, it aligned with a worrying trend of similar content emerging on platforms like Roblox, which has faced criticism for allowing disturbing creations reminiscent of real-life tragedies.
As Van Rootselaar’s fascination with violence escalated online, police responded multiple times to mental health calls at her home over the years. Authorities reported that she had been held under the Mental Health Act, which permits intervention for individuals undergoing a mental health crisis in British Columbia.
The shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School resulted in six fatalities, the majority being students under 13 years of age. Tragically, both Van Rootselaar’s 11-year-old brother and mother were also discovered dead at their family residence. This incident marks Canada’s deadliest school shooting since the École Polytechnique tragedy in Montreal in 1989, when 14 women lost their lives.
The incident raises pressing questions about mental health resources and the responsibilities of digital platforms in moderating content that may endanger the well-being of youth.