Crime
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooter identified as 18-year-old Jesse Strang
The individual alleged to be responsible for the deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeastern British Columbia has been identified by a close family member as Jesse Strang.
Authorities have not formally confirmed the suspect’s identity.
Juno News reported that it spoke directly with Russell G. Strang, identified as Jesse Strang’s uncle, who claimed that Jesse was responsible for the attack.
The relative also stated that Jesse was transgender. Online activity reviewed by the outlet reportedly includes a public YouTube account believed to belong to Jesse that displays the transgender flag and lists “she/her” pronouns.
Law enforcement has not verified these details.
A total of nine people were killed in the violence, including the suspected shooter, while more than two dozen others were wounded, according to a statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Police said the suspected gunman died from what investigators believe was a self-inflicted injury.
The shooting was first reported at approximately 1:20 p.m. at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Responding officers discovered six victims deceased inside the school, while another victim later died during transport to a hospital.
Two additional victims were airlifted to medical facilities with serious or life-threatening injuries. Authorities said roughly 25 other individuals were evaluated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
During the course of the investigation, officers identified what they described as a “secondary location believed to be connected to the incident.” At that residence, police discovered two additional victims dead.
“Officers are conducting further searches of additional homes and properties to determine whether anyone else may be injured or otherwise linked to today’s events,” the RCMP said in a statement.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement expressing profound sorrow in the aftermath of the attack.
“I am devastated by this shooting,” Carney said. “I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens.”
Tumbler Ridge, a remote community of approximately 2,400 residents located in the Northern Rockies region of British Columbia, is now grappling with the aftermath of one of the most significant acts of violence in its history.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to confirm the suspect’s identity, establish a motive, and determine whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy.
Officials continue to urge the public to rely on verified information as more details are expected to emerge.
A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, according to the Cincinnati Police Department.
Authorities identified the suspect as Jesse Wilson, 65, who has been charged with aggravated murder in the death of 36-year-old Jessica Hardy. Wilson was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center.
Police said officers were dispatched at approximately 6:35 a.m. on March 6 to the 700 block of Ridgeway Avenue after receiving reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived at the Avondale apartment building, they discovered Hardy suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency crews attempted lifesaving measures, but Hardy was pronounced dead at the scene, according to investigators.
The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office later confirmed her death and ruled the case an apparent homicide.
Detectives with the homicide unit launched an investigation shortly after the shooting, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses as they worked to determine the circumstances leading up to the deadly incident.
Wilson was subsequently identified as a suspect and arrested.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about what may have led to the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have asked anyone with information related to the case to contact the homicide unit.