Crime
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School Shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar Created Mall Shooting Simulator in Roblox
Investigators and online researchers have identified a Roblox account allegedly linked to Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old suspect in the deadly mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.
According to platform officials, the account was discovered by users on the internet forum Kiwi Farms, who reported that Van Rootselaar had created a game — referred to on Roblox as an “experience” — that simulated a shooting inside a shopping mall.
The virtual environment appeared to resemble a Canadian retail complex, although it has not been confirmed whether the design was intended to replicate a specific real-world location.
Videos circulating on social media prior to its removal showed a player-controlled character collecting weapons and firing into crowds of animated civilians within the mall setting.
The footage quickly drew widespread concern given the seriousness of the real-world attack.
Roblox confirmed that the account belonged to the suspect and announced swift action in response.
“We have removed the user account connected to this horrifying incident, as well as any content associated with the suspect,” the company said in a statement. “We are committed to fully supporting law enforcement in their investigation.”
Initially, reports suggested the game remained accessible despite the account being deleted. However, Roblox later clarified that the content has now been removed from the platform.
The company also noted that the mall-themed experience was only accessible through Roblox Studio, a development application used by creators to build games, rather than through the main platform available to general users.
As a result, the experience reportedly recorded only seven visits, indicating extremely limited exposure.
Investigators are continuing to examine the suspect’s digital footprint, including online posts and usernames believed to match across multiple platforms such as Reddit, where references to Roblox activity were also reportedly found.
Van Rootselaar is accused of carrying out the February 10 shooting that left eight people dead and at least 25 others injured at the secondary school.
Authorities have not indicated whether the online content forms part of the official investigative findings, but technology platforms are increasingly scrutinized in the aftermath of violent incidents for potential warning signs.
Officials emphasize that the broader investigation remains active as law enforcement works to establish a complete timeline, understand possible motives, and determine whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy.
Crime
At Least Three People Found Dead in Wayne County, Residents Urge to Stay Home and Take Extra Precautions
WAYNE COUNTY, Utah — The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) has launched a homicide investigation in Wayne County after three women were found dead in separate locations Wednesday, prompting a major multi-agency response and a public safety alert across the region.
According to DPS officials, the agency’s Utah State Bureau of Investigation and the Utah Department of Public Safety Crime Lab are assisting the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office with investigative support and forensic processing at multiple crime scenes in and around Torrey.
Authorities said the investigation began Wednesday afternoon when dispatchers received a call reporting two deceased women discovered along a hiking trail.
As investigators began examining the scene and expanding the search area, a third victim was later found deceased inside a residence elsewhere in Wayne County.
Officials said next-of-kin notifications are still underway, and therefore the identities of the victims are being withheld at this time.
Investigators have confirmed that the three victims are:
- Victim 1: Female in her 30s
- Victim 2: Female in her 60s
- Victim 3: Female in her 80s
All three deaths are being investigated as homicides.
Authorities are asking the public for assistance in locating a 2022 white Subaru Outback bearing Utah license plate U560YF, which investigators believe may be connected to the case. Officials are urging anyone who sees the vehicle not to approach it and instead report its location immediately.
Tips can be submitted to the Statewide Information and Analysis Center at siac@utah.gov, by phone at (801) 965-3838, or by calling 911 in the event of an emergency.
Because the suspect has not yet been located, law enforcement agencies are urging residents in Torrey and surrounding communities to remain cautious. Authorities recommend that residents lock their doors, keep exterior lights on, avoid being alone if possible, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office issued a countywide alert advising residents to remain vigilant while investigators work to determine what led to the killings.
Around the same time, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office also asked the public for information about the same white Subaru Outback, noting it may be linked to the Wayne County investigation. Officials said it is still unclear whether multiple incidents reported in the region are directly connected.
Family members of one of the victims have begun speaking publicly about the tragedy. Tracy Jacobson told Channel2 NOW that one of the victims was her niece and another was the niece’s paternal aunt.
“This was my niece and her father’s sister that were murdered. I’m heartbroken,” Jacobson said.
Jacobson alleged that the suspect stole her niece’s vehicle after the shooting and may also be connected to the killing of an elderly woman earlier in Lyman. According to Jacobson, the older woman’s vehicle was later found near the location where her niece was shot, while her niece’s white Subaru was taken by the suspect.
She further stated that the suspect may have traveled toward Beaver, where a SWAT response was reportedly underway. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those details.
In response to the unfolding situation, the Wayne County School District announced that schools will be closed Thursday and Friday “out of an abundance of caution for student and public safety.” The district said counselors will be available to assist students when classes resume.
Residents across the region have reported a heightened law enforcement presence. One resident in Torrey told local media she observed significant police activity in the area throughout Wednesday.
Neighboring jurisdictions have also issued precautionary advisories. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office initially urged residents to remain indoors and secure their homes, though officials later said they no longer believed there was an immediate threat in that county. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office also encouraged residents to report suspicious activity while noting there is no confirmed threat within their jurisdiction. The Emery County Sheriff’s Office and Grand County Sheriff’s Office shared the alert to increase awareness.
A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation field office in Salt Lake City said the agency is aware of the situation and stands ready to assist local authorities if requested.
Officials emphasize that the investigation remains active and developing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.