OTTAWA — The mother of the shooter in the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., killings once posted a photo on Facebook of several long guns in a cabinet with the caption, “Think it’s time to take them out for some target practice.”
It’s not known whether any of the half dozen firearms in the photo, posted in August 2024 by Jennifer Strang, were used in the shootings Tuesday that claimed the lives of nine people.
The RCMP has identified Strang, also known as Jennifer Jacobs, as the mother of Jesse Van Rootselaar, who police say killed Strang and seven others before taking her own life.
The RCMP said Wednesday at a news conference that two firearms — a long gun and a modified handgun — were recovered by responding officers.
RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said determining the origin of the two firearms and what role they played in the shootings remained a significant part of an ongoing investigation.
“Part of the reason we haven’t identified the specific models of the firearms or ownership is because at this point in time, our investigators continue to pursue those leads,” McDonald said.
He added the RCMP want to ensure it can properly identify the ownership of the firearms, how they were procured and whether they were lawfully owned.
Police had previously been to the family’s home, where firearms were seized under the Criminal Code and later returned, McDonald said.
Police say Rootselaar, 18, was born a biological male and began to transition to female about six years ago.
People between the ages of 12 and 17 may acquire a minor’s firearms licence that allows them to borrow non-restricted guns for purposes such as learning about the use of firearms and taking part in organized shooting competitions, hunting or target practice.
A minor can still use firearms of any class without a licence if they are under the direct and immediate supervision of someone who is licensed to have that firearm, the RCMP says.
The Mounties said Van Rootselaar had a licence that had expired in 2024.
In a July 2021 Facebook post, Strang urged people to check out a YouTube channel created by Jesse, whom she referred to as her oldest son.
“He posts about hunting, self reliance, guns and stuff he likes to do,” the mother wrote.
Asked about suggestions Van Rootselaar had created a Roblox game that simulated a shooting spree in a mall, the online platform said it had “removed the user account connected to this horrifying incident as well as any content associated with the suspect.”
“We are committed to fully supporting law enforcement in their investigation,” Roblox said Thursday.
The game in question could be accessed only through Roblox Studio, a separate app that developers use to design games. As a result, the game had only seven visits.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2026.
— With files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton
Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
