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  "path": "/news/world/canada-school-shooter-jesse-van-rootselaar-roblox-video-game",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-14T02:25:31.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "PICTURED: Trans 'gun-person' who killed children, teachers and family members in Canada tragedy",
    "Police confirm Canada mass shooting 'gunperson' was born as biological male",
    "Mark Carney makes tearful address after mass shooting shocks Canada",
    "the Munich Security Conference",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nThe Canadian \"gun-person\" created an online game that allowed players to simulate a mass shooting before Tuesday's tragedy.\n\nJesse van Rootselaar, 18, built the virtual experience on Roblox before shooting dead his mother, stepbrother, five young students and a teacher in rural Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nRoblox confirmed it had \"removed the user account connected to this horrifying incident as well as any content associated with the suspect\".\n\nA spokesman added: \"We are committed to fully supporting law enforcement in their investigation.\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nVan Rootselaar's game involved a character taking up arms and shooting others in a shopping centre.\n\nRoblox has more than 380 million players globally and allows users, including children under 13, to create virtual worlds and customised games.\n\nThe game is played by an estimated 61 per cent of British children between eight and 14.\n\nIt has long faced accusations that sexual predators use it to contact children.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt also has been seen as tools for hate and terror groups to recruit, exploit, and radicalise youth, with researchers documenting user-generated games that mimic terrorist attacks.\n\nRoblox said the Tumbler Ridge shooter's killing simulator only had seven visitors as it could only be accessed through Roblox Studio, a separate app for designing games.\n\nVan Rootselaar's account was removed by Roblox on Wednesday, the day after the attack.\n\nCanadian Police have not yet established a motive for the shooting but it confirmed there was a \"history of police attendance\" at the killer's home, shared with his mother and four siblings.\n\n### LATEST ON CANADA'S TRAGEDY:\n\n\n\n\n  * PICTURED: Trans 'gun-person' who killed children, teachers and family members in Canada tragedy\n  * Police confirm Canada mass shooting 'gunperson' was born as biological male\n  * Mark Carney makes tearful address after mass shooting shocks Canada\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nPolice visitations were related to mental health, firearms incidents, and even a fire started under the influence of drugs.\n\nVan Rootselaar transitioned six years ago according to police, and dropped out of school about two years later.\n\nThe shooter's victims were officially identified as 12-year-olds Zoey Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, Kylie Smith, Abel Mwansa, along with Ezekiel Schofield, 13, and teacher Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39.\n\nHe also killed his mother Jennifer Strang, 39, and stepbrother Emmett, 11, at their homes, before continuing the rest of the shooting a kilometre away.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAt a press conference, police said his mother held a firearms licence but had no guns registered to it.\n\n\"There are certain types of firearms unrestricted that do not have to be registered,\" said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokesman, adding that the police force was trying to trace all the firearms used in the attack.\n\nThe mother of 12-year-old victim Ticaria Lampert condemned the attack and said she was \"being the voice of a beautiful, strong and silenced daughter\".\n\nSarah Lampert described her daughter as \"a blazing light in the darkness\" who \"loved her family fiercely\".\n\nThe town of fewer 2,500 held a vigil on Friday night, where Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke.\n\nMr Carney said at the vigil: \"I know that no word from me or anyone can fill the silence in your homes tonight. And I won't pretend otherwise.\"\n\nHe added that the people of Canada were supporting the town.\n\nThe Canadian PM had planned to travel to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, but cancelled after the shocking events.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Canada school shooter created online game simulating mass attack before tragedy"
}