(Image Credit: The Canadian Press)

By Ian Gustafson

Saddened by suspects actions

Queer Neighbours Society calls for respect for transgender community amidst tragedy in Tumbler Ridge

Feb 12, 2026 | 4:44 PM

The Queer Neighbours Society of Red Deer, a non-profit organization that advocates for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in central Alberta, has released a statement following the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., earlier this week.

On Tuesday, tragedy struck Canada when nine people were killed, and approximately 25 were injured.

RCMP unveiled the identity of the shooter as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was also one of the people found dead at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

Police also reported that Rootselaar was born a biological male and was in the process of transitioning to female.

The Queer Neighbours Society said they’re saddened by the suspect’s actions and that they never condone violence.

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“We, as a 2SLGBTQIA+ organization, anticipate that our transgender community members will face hostility in the coming days,” they wrote in a statement. “Bigotry and hatred toward transgender residents are prevalent in Alberta. Homophobia and misunderstanding lives on every street corner and in every city and town in this province.”

READ MORE: Fact File: No evidence of trans shooter ‘epidemic’ in Canada, U.S.

They explained that gender dysphoria is a proven mental health diagnosis.

Although they can’t speculate on the life this person lived, aside from the facts already stated, they said withholding gender-affirming therapy would not have made any difference.

“If someone is going to kill, they will kill,” they stated. “People who kill are not good people, and we are not defending the suspect in any way. We are asking you, the public, to make logical distinctions between one person’s actions and another person’s existence.”

They’re calling on the public to refrain from bothering transgender people if you see them in public.

“We are all just trying to live our lives the best we can. Some do it differently than others, but as we don’t judge you, don’t judge us. Remember that we just want to get through life with similar goals, dreams, and aspirations as everyone else. We just want to be your good ‘Queer Neigbours’.”

-With files from The Canadian Press