The killer was, in fact, a trans identified biological male named Jesse Van Rootselaar. And while we can forgive some inaccurate descriptions in the fog of crisis, the police failed to correct themselves later that day. Police and reporters referred to the shooter in gender-neutral language in an evening news conference, even opting to use the term “gunperson.” While answering reporter questions on Wednesday, Dwayne McDonald, the commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP, said that the shooter was “identified as an 18-year-old female,” and only explained that Van Rootselaar was “transitioning” when pressed by a reporter. In a situation like this, the police could have at least referred to Van Roostselaar as a “trans woman,” which would have been in keeping with their policy, and offered a little bit more clarity. Instead they repeatedly used “female,” a term that refers to sex, not gender.