“We have a history of police attendance at the family residence. Some of those calls are related to mental health issues,” Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, told a press conference.<\/p>\n
The victims at the school included a 39-year-old teacher, three 12-year-old female students and two male students aged 12 and 13.<\/p>\n
Loading…’Suspect acted alone’If you or anyone you know needs help:Suicide Call Back Service<\/a> on 1300 659 467Lifeline<\/a> on 13 11 14Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN<\/a>\u00a0on 13 92 76Kids Helpline<\/a> on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue<\/a> on 1300 224 636Headspace<\/a> on 1800 650 890ReachOut<\/a> at au.reachout.com<\/a>MensLine Australia<\/a> on 1300 789 978QLife 1800 184 527<\/a><\/p>\n Mr McDonald said Van Rootselaar, who was born male but began to identify as a female six years ago, had first killed her mother, 39, and 11-year-old step-brother at the family home.<\/p>\n “We do believe the suspect acted alone \u2026 it would be too early to speculate on motive,” Mr McDonald said.<\/p>\n Earlier in the day, a visibly upset Prime Minister Mark Carney promised Canadians would get through what he called a “terrible” shooting.<\/p>\n The Canadian PM has ordered flags on all government buildings be flown at half-mast for the next seven days. (Reuters: Jennifer Gauthier)<\/p>\n Mr Carney, who has postponed a trip to Europe, said he had ordered flags on all government buildings be flown at half-mast for the next seven days.<\/p>\n “We will get through this. We will learn from this,” he told reporters, at one point looking close to tears.<\/p>\n “But right now, it’s a time to come together, as Canadians always do in these situations, these terrible situations, to support each other, to mourn together and to grow together.”<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34d20da9f01341d58c16464cc5604037.jpeg\")
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