What Happened
Jacob Jan Van Rootselaar, the older half-brother of the deceased Tumbler Ridge shooter, has been arrested on a Canada-wide warrant for breaking bail while awaiting trial for attempted murder. The 22-year-old was taken into custody by Alberta RCMP after being wanted for an incident in Fort McMurray, Alberta, where he allegedly broke into a home and stabbed a man.
Why It Matters
This arrest is significant as it connects to the tragic events that unfolded on February 10, when Jesse Van Rootselaar, Jacob’s half-sibling, committed a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, resulting in the deaths of five students and an educator, as well as her 11-year-old brother, Emmett, and their mother, Jennifer Strang. The relationship between Jacob and Jesse remains unclear, as their biological father has stated he was not involved in Jesse’s upbringing.
What’s Next
Jacob Van Rootselaar was initially released on bail with conditions to live at a treatment facility and later under house arrest in Tumbler Ridge. Following his arrest, he faces further legal proceedings related to his attempted murder charge, with a trial date set for December 2024.
