Stepfather of Tumbler Ridge Victim Voices Heartbreak Over Son's Death
Matt Jacobs, the mourning father of 11-year-old Emmett Jacobs, one of eight victims in last week's Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, has publicly shared his anguish, describing the pain as "unbearable" since losing his young son. In a statement sent to National Post on Saturday, Jacobs expressed the depth of his sorrow, stating, "I lost my little boy, a man's pride and joy."
Clarifying Family Relationships Amid Tragedy
Jacobs took the opportunity to clarify his family connections, explaining that he is the estranged spouse of Jennifer Jacobs (Strang), with whom he shared three children: Emmett and two brothers. He emphasized that he is not the father of shooter Jesse Vanrootselaar, despite online misinformation and false photos circulating. "Jesse was a troubled child and I did what I could before we split up," Jacobs said. "I had no idea it had gotten this bad."
Details of the Tumbler Ridge Shooting
The tragic incident occurred at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday, where 18-year-old Jesse Vanrootselaar carried out an attack, killing one adult and five children before taking their own life. Emmett was found dead in his family home along with his 39-year-old mother, Jennifer. The school shooting victims have been identified as:
- Abel Mwansa, 12
- Ezekiel Schofield, 13
- Kylie Smith, 12
- Zoey Benoit, 12
- Ticaria Lampert, 12
- Educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39
A Father's Love and Regret
Jacobs described Emmett as "happy, smart and kind" and lamented not being able to spend meaningful time with him for the past eight years due to family circumstances. "If I could have continued to spend time with him I would have," he stated. "My heart has always ached for him and I have missed him and my other surviving children tremendously."
Forgiveness and Moving Forward
Despite being in the process of formally divorcing Jennifer with plans to remarry a new partner in Alberta, Jacobs expressed no ill will toward his late wife and her family, offering condolences for her tragic death. "There was much I never knew about and much she held from me. I truly forgive her for it all, despite everything," he wrote, requesting privacy for all involved.
Community Support Through Fundraising
In the wake of the tragedy, Amy Johann, an extended family member of Jennifer's living in Grand Prairie, Alberta, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the surviving children and a third, as-yet-unidentified child. Johann highlighted the financial strain on the grandparents who are now caring for the children, noting their "steady, present, and devoted" support. As of Sunday morning, the campaign had raised over $15,000 toward a $25,000 goal, with Adell Strang, Jennifer's mother, listed as the beneficiary.
Jacobs concluded his statement by reflecting on the overwhelming grief, writing, "The pain I have been feeling from this tragedy is unbearable. I can't even imagine to explain how lost I feel." His words underscore the profound impact of the Tumbler Ridge shooting on families and the community, as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.
