Rumours circulating online about Fort St. John school in wake of shooting unfounded

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — School District 60 has confirmed the rumours circulating on social media about a local school have no substance. 

Post the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooting on February 10th, rumours have been circulating online about a possible threat at the Bert Bowes Middle School in Fort St. John. 

However, Stephen Petrucci, superintendent of School District 60, told Energeticcity.ca: “The District and RCMP have followed up but it has been confirmed that there is no substance to these rumours.” 

“Sorting fact from fiction on social media is challenging.

“Nevertheless, we will always work with the RCMP on any possible threats to the safety of students and staff.”   

According to an email seen by Energeticcity.ca sent by Dr. Kearney Middle School, parents with students at other schools were reassured that there are no threats and the schools are a safe place following the scare.

This comes after 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a resident of Tumbler Ridge, killed her mother and stepbrother on February 10th before shooting and killing six more people at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.