Brother of Tumbler Ridge shooter sentenced to 3 years for aggravated assault in Alberta

A judge's chair seen inside a courtroom in Edmonton, Alberta (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

The older half-brother of the Tumbler Ridge, B.C. school shooter has been sentenced to three years in prison in connection with an incident in Fort McMurray in October 2024.

Jacob Van Rootselaar, 22, was initially charged with break-and-enter and attempted murder in the incident.

He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated assault last week and was sentenced to three years.

The break-and-enter charge was stayed.

Van Rootselaar had also been charged with unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, and five counts of failing to comply with a release order on Feb. 19 in Red Deer.

The unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon charge and three counts failing to comply with a release order were withdrawn.

Van Rootselaar was sentenced to time served on the other charges, meaning he won’t spend any additional time behind bars.

According to RCMP, Van Rootselaar is the older brother of Jesse Van Roostelaar, who killed eight people on Feb. 10, including her mother and 11-year-old sibling, in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge.