Why Seized Firearms Were Returned to Tumbler Ridge Mass Shooter's Home: Canada's Red Flag Law Explained
Many are asking why guns were returned to the home of someone with a history of mental illness, whom police apprehended multiple times as a potential threat to themselves or others. This question has gained urgency following the tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that left eight people dead, including five schoolchildren aged 12 to 13.
The Facebook Photo That Sparked Questions
In August 2024, Jennifer Strang, the mother of suspected shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar, posted a photo on Facebook showing rifles in a gun cabinet with the caption: "Think it's time to take them out for some target practice." If authentic, this image has left Dr. Alan Drummond, a long-time advocate for tighter gun control, asking: "How can this home have even one gun, let alone five or six?"
Police Disclosures About Firearms History
Police revealed this week that firearms had been seized from, and later returned to, the Van Rootselaar home prior to the shooting. While authorities have not disclosed what those weapons were or who owned them, the revelation has raised significant concerns. Van Rootselaar had a history of mental illness and had been apprehended multiple times under provincial Mental Health Act provisions, indicating they were considered a potential threat.
During the response to Tuesday's shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, officers recovered two firearms: a long gun and a modified handgun. This incident stands as one of the deadliest mass school shootings in Canadian history.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
It's believed the shooter's mother, Jennifer Strang, 39, and an 11-year-old stepbrother were first killed at their home before the shooter launched the secondary attack at the school. Van Rootselaar died at the scene from a self-inflicted injury, according to police statements.
Police had been called to the family home on multiple occasions in recent years over mental health concerns related to Van Rootselaar. Firearms were seized during one of those visits, but no charges were laid. The "lawful owner" successfully petitioned to have them returned, police confirmed.
Canada's Red Flag Law: How It Works
Under Canada's "Red Flag" law, if someone is believed to pose a safety risk to themselves or others, anyone can apply to a provincial or territorial court for an emergency prohibition order seeking temporary removal of firearms. A judge holds a hearing and, if convinced an emergency order is needed, firearms and weapons are either seized or turned in, and the person's licence is revoked for up to 30 days, according to Public Safety Canada.
A judge can grant a longer-term prohibition order for up to five years. If not, once the emergency order expires or is cancelled, the firearms are to be returned "as soon as possible."
Expert Analysis of the Law's Application
University of Ottawa criminologist and professor emeritus Irvin Waller noted that the Red Flag law applies not just to the owner of the guns and whether that person is likely to use them to harm themselves or others, "but whether somebody in that household is going to." This distinction becomes crucial in cases where multiple individuals reside at a single address.
Police confirmed that Van Rootselaar's firearm licence had expired in 2024 and that no guns were registered under that name. Van Rootselaar, who was born a biological male but began to transition to female six years ago, had been assessed under the Mental Health Act more than once.
The case highlights ongoing debates about gun control, mental health interventions, and the effectiveness of existing legislation in preventing tragedies. As investigations continue, questions remain about whether different applications of the Red Flag law might have altered the devastating outcome in Tumbler Ridge.
