The stepfather of the transgender school shooter, who took the lives of eight individuals, expressed that he has been experiencing “unbearable pain” since the incident, in his first detailed remarks since the tragedy.
Jesse Van Rootseller, an 18-year-old who dropped out of high school, entered Tumble Ridge Secondary School in a small town in British Columbia and opened fire on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of his mother, Jennifer Strang, 39, and his half-brother, Emmett Jacobs, 11, according to authorities.
Jean-Pierre Jacobs, the stepfather, is now faced with the daunting task of piecing his life back together.
“I lost a young son, a man’s pride and joy,” Jacobs reflected on his son Emmett. “Jennifer and I had our disagreements, but she didn’t deserve this, and neither did they.”
“The pain I have felt from this tragedy is unbearable,” said Jacobs, who shares three children with Strang.
Residing in Alberta, Jacobs mentioned that he’s been estranged from his children for around eight years, adding that Strang ignored his attempts at reconnecting after their separation.
“Emmett was a beautiful boy. When I was with him, he loved fishing, enjoyed the outdoors with me, and he was always happy, smart, and kind. If I could spend more time with him, I would have,” he recalled.
“My heart always aches for him, and I miss him and the other surviving children deeply.”
Van Rootseller has been described as a troubled individual fascinated with mass shootings and death-related videos.
“Jesse was a troubled child, and we did everything we could for him, but we never anticipated it would escalate to this level,” Jacobs added.
Despite still being legally married to Strang, Jacobs stated he plans to file for divorce and intends to marry his current partner.
“Now, I’m contemplating what’s best for the other surviving children when that time arrives, and I find myself here trying to pick up the pieces of the family left here in Tumbler Ridge,” he said.
“There were many things I was unaware of, and several things she concealed from me. Regardless, I truly forgive her for it all.”
Jacobs mentioned that the remaining children are currently staying with Strang’s parents, and he plans to pursue custody.
