Tumbler Ridge shooter's father says he 'carries a sorrow'.

The father of the Tumbler Ridge shooter issued a public statement expressing sorrow and asking for privacy, and police say officers previously visited the residence and that firearms were once seized and later returned.

Justin VanRootselaar, who identified himself as the biological father of the person responsible for this week's school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, issued a public statement expressing sorrow and offering condolences. He said he was estranged from Jesse Strang and was not part of his life. VanRootselaar asked for respect for his family's grief and said there would be no further statements. Authorities have released additional information about prior police contacts with the residence. Key reported facts: - Justin VanRootselaar said he was estranged from Jesse Strang and offered his condolences to the families affected. - BC RCMP said officers had attended the residence previously over concerns about mental health and self-harm, and that firearms were seized under the criminal code a couple of years ago and later returned after a petition from the lawful owner. - The article reports the shooter held a firearms licence that expired in 2024 and that a long gun and a modified handgun were found at the scene; it is not known if those were the same firearms previously seized. Summary: The father's statement underscores local sorrow and requests privacy while authorities describe past police contacts and a prior seizure and return of firearms. Ownership details and the full circumstances around those firearms remain unclear. Undetermined at this time.