🚨 SHOCKING REVEAL: “I WISH REAL LIFE WAS LIKE A VIDEO GAME… SO I COULD DO WHATEVER I WANTED WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES!” – Gaming Pal Drops BOMBSHELL on Tumbler Ridge Suspect! 😱

In the heartbreaking aftermath of the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge that claimed eight lives – including a mother, a young brother, students, and a school staff member – an alleged online gaming friend has come forward with this chilling claim about 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar.

The suspect reportedly expressed a dark fantasy: wanting the real world to mirror video games, free from rules or repercussions. This comes as investigators uncover more about her online world, including a now-removed Roblox creation that simulated chaotic scenarios – and a long history of mental health struggles that police had responded to multiple times.

Was this a missed warning sign? Authorities say the motive remains under investigation, but the online trail is raising urgent questions about mental health support, gaming influences, and how troubled youth slip through the cracks.

The FULL story, verified updates, and what experts are saying right now…👇

An unverified claim from someone purporting to be an online gaming acquaintance of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old identified as the suspect in the February 10, 2026, mass shooting in this remote British Columbia community, has added another layer of complexity to an already devastating case. The individual alleges Van Rootselaar once expressed a troubling wish: that real life could function like a video game, allowing actions without real-world consequences.

The statement, which surfaced amid widespread online discussion following the incident, has not been independently confirmed by authorities. However, it aligns with emerging details about Van Rootselaar’s digital footprint, including involvement in gaming platforms and documented mental health challenges. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) continue to investigate the events that left eight people dead and 27 injured, describing the suspect as acting alone with no clear manifesto or motive yet established.

Sequence of Events in a Small Mining Town

Tumbler Ridge, a coal-mining community of roughly 2,400 residents nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, was thrust into the national spotlight on February 10. Around 2:20 p.m. local time, emergency services received reports of a domestic incident at a residence on Fellers Avenue. Police later confirmed that Van Rootselaar’s 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Strang (also known as Jennifer Jacobs), and her 11-year-old half-brother were found deceased at the home.

Authorities believe the suspect then traveled approximately 1.5 kilometers to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, a former school she had attended but dropped out of about four years earlier. There, five students—three 12-year-old girls, one 12-year-old boy, and one 13-year-old boy—along with 39-year-old education assistant Shannda Aviugana-Durand were fatally shot in areas including the library and stairwells. As officers arrived within minutes, Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

An Alert Ready emergency broadcast locked down the community until early evening. Schools closed for the week as grief counseling and support services mobilized. Families of the victims shared memories of bright, kind children whose lives were cut short, with one parent describing a lost daughter as “the light of our lives.”

Profile of the Suspect: Mental Health History and Police Interactions

Jesse Van Rootselaar, born August 4, 2007, was assigned male at birth and began identifying as female around age 12, according to RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald. Police referred to her using female pronouns in line with her public identification.

Records show multiple police visits to the family home over the years, primarily related to mental health concerns and self-harm risks. In one instance, Van Rootselaar was apprehended under the province’s Mental Health Act for assessment. Firearms had previously been seized from the residence but were later returned after a lawful owner—believed to be the mother—successfully petitioned for their release. The suspect held a minor’s firearms license that expired in 2024, and weapons recovered at the scenes were not registered to her personally.

Online posts attributed to Van Rootselaar detailed struggles with ADHD, OCD, substance use including psychedelics, and periods of dissociation. She described experiences with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and self-medication. Family dynamics appeared strained, with historical custody disputes between her parents leading to a nomadic lifestyle moving between Newfoundland and western Canada.

The Gaming Connection: Roblox Simulator and Online Discussions

A significant focus has fallen on Van Rootselaar’s online activities, particularly on Roblox, a platform popular with younger users. The company confirmed it removed an account linked to the suspect after reports surfaced of a user-created “experience” simulating disorderly scenarios in a virtual mall setting. Roblox stated the content had limited visibility—visited only seven times—and was swiftly deleted as part of its safety protocols. The company pledged full cooperation with law enforcement.

Experts have long debated whether exposure to or creation of violent simulations in games can desensitize individuals or reflect deeper issues. In this case, the alleged gaming friend’s claim—that Van Rootselaar fantasized about real life mirroring game-like freedom—has fueled speculation, though it remains anecdotal and unverified. No official link has been drawn between the virtual content and the real events.

Van Rootselaar also maintained a YouTube channel focused on hunting, firearms, and outdoor activities, promoted by her mother in 2021. Other platforms showed engagement with trans-related communities, weapon discussions, and posts about personal identity challenges.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Response

RCMP officials emphasize that the suspect acted alone, with no evidence of accomplices or external direction. Motive remains elusive, and authorities caution against speculation. The case has reignited national conversations about mental health resources in rural areas, firearms access in hunting communities, and online platform responsibilities.

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed condolences, calling for reflection on preventing such tragedies. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the incident as “pure evil” and pledged support for affected families. Vigils and memorial services have taken place, with trauma teams deployed to the school and town.

As forensics and digital analysis continue, the alleged confession from a supposed gaming contact serves as a stark reminder of how online expressions can sometimes hint at inner turmoil. Whether it represents a genuine insight or misinformation in the chaos following a tragedy is yet to be determined. For now, Tumbler Ridge mourns its losses and searches for answers in the shadow of an unthinkable loss.