Tumbler Ridge Shooting: Jesse Van Rootselaar and Family Background

This page respectfully presents factual information about the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on February 10, 2026. Our deepest sympathies go to the victims, their families, and the community. The victims include Jennifer Jacobs (Strang), Emmett Jacobs, Abel Mwansa, Ezekiel Schofield, Kylie Smith, Zoey Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, and Shannda Aviugana-Durand. This content is intended for educational purposes, focusing on family dynamics, mental health, and substance use in a sensitive manner.

🔊 TTS Off

Introduction

**Summary:** Overview of the Incident

On February 10, 2026, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar carried out a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, killing eight people before dying by suicide. The attack began at home, where Jesse's mother, Jennifer Jacobs (also known as Strang), and half-brother, Emmett Jacobs, were killed. It continued at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, resulting in the deaths of five students and one educator, with 25-27 others injured. Investigations have revealed a history of mental health issues, substance use, and family instability.

Family Background

**Summary:** Parental Relationships and Home Life

Jennifer Strang (Jacobs) led a nomadic lifestyle with her children, moving frequently between Newfoundland, Alberta, and British Columbia from 2010 to 2015. Court documents from a 2015 custody dispute highlight this instability, noting Jennifer's failure to notify the father of moves, described as "reprehensible conduct." Jesse's biological father, Justin Van Rootselaar, had limited contact. Jennifer had five children, with Jesse as the oldest. Later relationships included Emmett's father, who is incarcerated on meth charges.

Police made multiple visits to the home due to mental health concerns and self-harm. Firearms were seized approximately two years prior but later returned. Jennifer posted photos of family guns in 2024 and supported Jesse's interests in hunting and firearms via a YouTube channel.

Mother's History

**Summary:** Personal Life, Relationships, and Alternative Approaches

Jennifer Strang, 39, grew up in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, moving to Alberta at 15. She dropped out of high school, earned a GED, and worked as a haul truck driver in mining. Her parents passed away—mother from cancer, father from alcohol-related issues. Described as fun and loud socially, she bought rounds at bars but was private when sober.

In relationships, Jennifer became pregnant with Jesse while involved with a married man who left when Jesse was two. Court records note the unstable family life. She had multiple partners, including one incarcerated for meth charges. Jennifer was supportive of trans rights and Jesse's transition, posting positively online.

Facing Jesse's mental health challenges, Jennifer explored alternative treatments after prescriptions failed. She ran an online group for psychedelic healing and micro-dosed psilocybin for children's trauma, including Jesse's first trip at 15.

Mental Health and Substance Use

**Summary:** Diagnoses, Medications, and Drug History

Jesse was diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and PTSD from family issues. Prescribed high doses of Sertraline (Zoloft, up to 280mg) for depression and OCD, and Risperidone (2mg) occasionally for sleep. These were reported as ineffective.

Jesse mixed prescriptions with recreational substances: cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms (shrooms), DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT. Reddit posts detail experiences, including a 2023 incident with 3g Blue Meanie mushrooms leading to a psychotic break and irrational actions.

Multiple hospital stays and assessments under the Mental Health Act occurred, including for mixing meds with psychedelics. Despite psychotic breaks, including one involving stabbing a friend, Jesse was released without long-term care.

Online Activity and Violent Incidents

**Summary:** Disturbing Online Presence and Past Events

Jesse's online posts on Reddit and other platforms revealed suicidal thoughts, drug use, gender transition difficulties, and fascination with violence, gore, and mass killings. Created a Roblox game "Remember" simulating a mall massacre, removed post-incident.

In 2023, during a mushroom-induced break, Jesse lit a mattress on fire, nearly burning the house, leading to police involvement. Journals mentioned voices urging to "cleanse" the school. The night before the shooting, a Twitch live-stream rant about a "broken system" went unflagged.

Drugs and Violent Crimes

**Summary:** Jesse's Drug History and Relation to Violence

Jesse Van Rootselaar's drug history is marked by a combination of prescribed medications and recreational substances, which may have contributed to his mental health decline and eventual violent actions. Prescribed Sertraline (Zoloft) at an unusually high dose of up to 280mg for depression and OCD, Jesse reported that it was ineffective. High doses of SSRIs like Zoloft have been associated with side effects such as agitation, akathisia, and in rare cases, increased risk of violent behavior, especially in adolescents and young adults. Studies have shown that antidepressants can sometimes trigger manic episodes or disinhibition in vulnerable individuals, potentially exacerbating underlying issues.

Image related to Jesse Van Rootselaar

Risperidone, an antipsychotic prescribed at 2mg occasionally for sleep, is known for its use in treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, it can cause extrapyramidal symptoms, including restlessness and muscle stiffness, which might intensify impulsive or aggressive tendencies. In Jesse's case, combining this with other substances likely compounded the effects, leading to psychotic breaks.

Collage related to Jesse Van Rootselaar

Recreational use included cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms (shrooms), DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT. A notable incident in 2023 involved consuming 3 grams of Blue Meanie mushrooms mixed with peanut butter, resulting in a severe psychotic episode where Jesse felt like dreaming, engaged in irrational behavior, and nearly burned the house down by lighting a mattress on fire. Psychedelics like shrooms and DMT can induce hallucinations, paranoia, and dissociation, which in individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions can lead to violent outbursts or self-harm. Research indicates that while psychedelics are generally non-violent, in high doses or mixed with other drugs, they can trigger acute psychosis, increasing the risk of aggressive actions.

Image from Jesse Van Rootselaar's Reddit posts

The combination of these substances, particularly mixing prescription medications with psychedelics, likely played a role in Jesse's deteriorating mental state, culminating in the tragic shooting. Multiple hospital stays and assessments under the Mental Health Act highlighted these issues, including a stabbing incident during a psychotic break. Despite warnings, the lack of long-term care allowed the cycle to continue, underscoring how untreated substance-induced psychosis can escalate to violence.

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