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RCMP have arrested the older half-brother of the deceased Tumbler Ridge, B.C., shooter on a Canada-wide warrant for breaking bail while awaiting trial for attempted murder.
Jacob Jan Van Rootselaar, 22, was initially arrested on Oct. 15, 2024 in Fort McMurray, Alta., after he allegedly broke into a home and stabbed a man, court records show.
He was charged with attempted murder, but released on bail pending his trial date — set for this December — on condition to live first at a treatment facility in Drayton Valley, Alta., and then in Tumbler Ridge under 24/7 house arrest.
Jacob Van Rootselaar is the half-sibling of Jesse Van Rootselaar through their father.
Jesse Van Rootselaar, who has also been identified using the last name Strang, is the deceased 18-year-old perpetrator who shot and killed five students and an educator at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shortly after killing her 11-year-old half-brother, Emmett, and the mother they shared, 39-year-old Jennifer Strang, on Feb. 10.
The extent to which Jesse and Jacob may have known or interacted with each other is not known. Jesse’s biological father told CBC News in a previous statement that he did not have a relationship with Jesse and was not involved in her upbringing.
Warrants were issued for Jacob Van Rootselaar’s arrest on Feb. 18 after he was not at his approved residence as part of his bail conditions, RCMP say.
He was located on Feb. 19 in Sylvan Lake, Alta., where he was charged with breaching his release as well as possession of a prohibited weapon — brass knuckles — according to Alberta RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff.
Court documents show he is facing seven new charges including two weapons offences and five charges for breaching court orders.
Jacob Van Rootselaar is being held in Red Deer, Alta., pending his next court appearance in March.
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