FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A 22-year-old man identified by police as the older brother of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooter has been arrested in Alberta on a Canada-wide warrant tied to an attempted murder investigation in Fort McMurray.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Jacob Van Rootselaar was arrested Feb. 19 in Sylvan Lake by the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Team. Police say the warrant relates to an alleged October 2024 incident in Fort McMurray involving an edged weapon, where he faces charges including attempted murder and break and enter in a dwelling.
Police confirmed Van Rootselaar is related to Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old gunman responsible for the Feb. 10 mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., that killed multiple people and injured others.
RCMP spokespersons said Van Rootselaar had previously been released from custody under conditions and had been approved to reside in northeastern B.C., but a warrant was issued after police determined he was no longer at his approved address during a compliance check earlier this month.
In addition to the outstanding warrant, police said he was arrested on new charges including possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and five counts of failing to comply with release conditions.
Van Rootselaar was remanded into custody following a court appearance in Red Deer. Court records indicate he is scheduled to return to court in early March in both Red Deer and Fort McMurray in relation to the separate matters.
Police have not released further details about the alleged 2024 Fort McMurray incident.
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