Suspected shooter named as Jesse van Rootselaar after Canada’s worst school shooting in 40 years

The suspect in Canada's deadliest school shooting for almost 40 years has been identified after their body was found with a self-inflicted injury.

Seven people were killed in the shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, including the shooter, while police found two more bodies in a nearby house.

The suspect, among the deaths at the school, had initially been described as a 'female in a dress with brown hair', though their name and gender were not initially revealed.

Now, however, authorities have identified the shooter as 18-year-old Jesse van Rootselaar, explaining that they were a resident of Tumbler Ridge who had dropped out of the secondary school around four years ago.

Deputy commissioner Dwayne McDonald said van Rootselaar 'identified as female', and that the two people found dead in a nearby house were her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old step-brother.

Seven people were killed at the school, the suspect among them, and two others were found dead in a nearby house (Jesse Boily/The Canadian Press via AP)

“As part of the initial response to the active shooting, police entered the school to locate the threat. During the search, officers located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury," the RCMP said in a statement.

Police explained that seven people, van Rootselaar included, were found dead at the scene in the school, with a 39-year-old female teacher, three female students aged 12, a male student aged 12 and a male student aged 13 killed. At least 25 others were hospitalised due to the shooting.

Tumbler Ridge mayor Darryl Krakowka said the entire community of around 2,400 people that live in the town would be grieving, and that he would 'probably know every one of the victims'.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark 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."

The town is located around 415 miles north of Vancouver, and the secondary school has 175 students enrolled.

Students were led out of the school with their hands up after sheltering in classrooms (Jordon Kosik via AP)

Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student at the school, told CBC Radio West after being barricaded inside a classroom for around two hours.

He said: "It was definitely tense. I think we were all very nervous. So we tried to keep things light and keep each other motivated and not fall into grief. Once people sent me some photos, it definitely set in what was actually happening."

The student said he realised how serious the situation was after he was sent pictures with blood.

"I think it's when it all really set in. I was definitely pretty scared. I was wondering if we were formulating an escape plan if anyone did come up to the door, we were going to run up to the door and out of the back," Quist explained.

After around two hours, the student, 15 other classmates and his teacher were escorted out of the school with their 'hands up at all times'.