Troubling Details Emerge About Tumbler Ridge Shooting Suspect’s Online Presence
Disturbing online posts linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge shooting have surfaced, shedding light on a troubled individual with a disturbing interest in violence and mental health issues.
Roblox, a popular game primarily targeted at children, was used by Jesse Van Rootselaar to create a virtual shopping mall solely selling guns. Players were encouraged to engage in a simulated shooting spree within this customized environment.
The game developers have clarified that this particular “experience” was not meant for widespread access and have taken measures to remove it along with Van Rootselaar’s account.
Further insights into the suspect’s online activities reveal a distressing pattern, including references to psychotic episodes, past traumas, and a fascination with notorious mass shooters.
Although investigators face challenges in uncovering the full extent of Van Rootselaar’s online footprint due to deleted content, archived posts from a Reddit account believed to be hers suggest a history of involvement with firearms, including modified long guns.
Mental health struggles are also evident from her online posts, with references to personal challenges and experiences, such as a post about past psychiatric care and a desire to explore alternative treatments.
Moreover, posts attributed to Van Rootselaar on a gore and death-focused website raise serious concerns, with mentions of witnessing traumatic events in childhood and a disturbing attraction to violent content. The revealed online activity also includes connections to individuals with similar interests and exposure to content related to school shooters.
BC RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald has emphasized the importance of following all leads from the suspect’s online presence, acknowledging the common trend of mass shooting suspects maintaining significant online interactions and potential affiliations with like-minded individuals.