Online Activity Reveals Canadian School Shooter’s Fascination with Violence
Expert Analysis Shows Dark Online Interests
The online activity of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old responsible for last week’s deadly high school shooting in Canada, revealed a strong interest in firearms, mass violence, and graphic violent content, according to experts. Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the attack.
Analysts from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue examined Van Rootselaar’s digital footprint and found posts describing violent “gore” content as “addictive.” The shooter frequently visited sites like WatchPeopleDie, which hosts graphic videos depicting violence against people and animals. Such sites have been linked to other school shooters in the past.
Online Communities as Dangerous Echo Chambers
Cody Zoschak, a senior manager at the institute, noted that these online spaces can intensify typical teenage feelings such as loneliness and despair. Instead of seeking help in their local communities, isolated teens may turn to digital spaces where strangers validate their thoughts, sometimes encouraging harmful behavior.
“The worst influence used to be the worst kid in your school. Now, the worst influence can be the worst person on the internet,” Zoschak said, highlighting the heightened risks posed by online extremism.
Timeline of Troubling Online Activity
ISD analysts tracked Van Rootselaar’s activity across multiple accounts, identifying posts dating back to 2019 when the shooter was about 12. Early posts focused on video games. By 2021, Van Rootselaar posted images of a gun they claimed to own. Around 2023, posts shifted to discussions of drug use and mental health struggles.
Analysts noted a possible year-long hiatus in 2024 with no traceable activity. Approximately five months ago, Van Rootselaar created a WatchPeopleDie account and began engaging with dozens of gore posts, further highlighting a troubling pattern of escalating online behavior.
Connection to Past School Shootings
Analysis also revealed that Van Rootselaar viewed content related to previous incidents, including the case of 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who killed a student and teacher in Wisconsin in 2024. Experts warn that these online networks can provide dangerous validation for individuals prone to violence.
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