The estranged biological father of transgender school shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar is trying to distance himself from his murderous son — while referring to him with male pronouns and his mother’s surname.
Justin Van Rootselaar released a statement insisting he is not to blame for the heartbreak his 18-year-old son, Jesse, inflicted on the small community of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia, Canada, when he gunned down eight people, including six children.
“I was estranged from Jesse Strang and was not part of his life,” he told the CBC in a statement, using the last name of the shooter’s mom, Jennifer Strang, who was among the eight shot dead Tuesday.
“His mother declined my involvement from the beginning, and I was not given the opportunity to be a part of raising him. Jesse did not use the [Van Rootselaar] family name at any point in his life,” he continued.
“While that distance is the reality of our relationship, it does not lessen the heartbreak I feel for the pain that has been caused to innocent people and to the town we call home,” the father added.
Jesse Van Rootselaar shot and killed his 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home before traveling to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and opening fire, killing five young students and a teacher on Tuesday.
He later killed himself at the school, where a long gun and modified handgun were recovered.
Jesse Van Rootselaar was “born a biological male … who approximately six years ago began to transition to female, and identified as female,” Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald told reporters this week.
He often posted about his transition online.
McDonald said police had visited the family home on multiple occasions over the last several years due to concerns over Van Rootselaar’s mental health.
More than once, the troubled teen was taken into custody for assessment under Canada’s Mental Health Act, he said.
“This is a time for compassion, for holding one another close, and for supporting the families who are grieving such unimaginable loss,” Justin Van Rootselaar said.
“As we respect your grief, we respectfully ask that you also respect ours. There will be no further statements.”
