Shock and grief have swept through the mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, after a devastating mass shooting on February 10, 2026, left eight people dead and more than 25 injured. The rampage, which began at a family home and concluded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, has become one of the deadliest shootings in Canadian history, rattling a town that prides itself on its close-knit spirit.
Authorities identified the shooter as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the school. According to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, Van Rootselaar was born a biological male and began transitioning to female about six years ago. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and McDonald emphasized, "It’s too early to say" whether Van Rootselaar’s gender identity played any role in the tragedy, as reported by multiple outlets including the Associated Press and BBC.
The violence began at Van Rootselaar’s family residence, where police say the shooter first killed her mother, Jennifer Strang, 39, and 11-year-old stepbrother. The grim discovery was made after a young family member managed to alert a neighbor, who then called authorities. From there, Van Rootselaar proceeded to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, a small academy serving grades 7 through 12 with around 160 students, nestled in a town of just 2,700 residents.
The RCMP received a report of an active shooter at the school at approximately 1:20 p.m. local time. Officers arrived within two minutes, heard gunfire, and entered the building, where they encountered shots fired in their direction. Inside, they found Van Rootselaar deceased, as confirmed by Deputy Commissioner McDonald. Two firearms—a long gun and a modified handgun—were recovered at the scene, though police have yet to clarify the exact roles these weapons played in the attack.
Six people were killed inside the school: a 39-year-old female teacher, three 12-year-old female students, and two male students aged 12 and 13. Most of the victims were found in the library, with one discovered in a stairwell. The RCMP and local officials have not publicly released the names of the student victims, a decision that underscores the community’s anguish and the ongoing process of notifying families. Two more victims remain hospitalized in critical condition, according to BBC and the Associated Press.
As the panic unfolded, students and teachers barricaded themselves in classrooms, some for more than two hours, until roughly 100 students were safely evacuated. A video captured students walking out of the building with their hands raised, surrounded by police vehicles and an overhead helicopter, a chilling scene that will haunt the town for years to come.
Van Rootselaar was a former student who dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School about four years ago. It remains unclear how she gained access to the building during school hours. The RCMP had visited the family home on multiple occasions over the years because of concerns regarding Van Rootselaar’s mental health, and she had previously been taken into custody under the Mental Health Act. Two years ago, firearms were seized from the family residence, but the lawful owner was able to have them returned after petitioning authorities. Police have not confirmed whether the weapons used in the attack were those previously confiscated.
Community members, still reeling from the shock, have described the loss as deeply personal. Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka told CBC, "I will know every victim. I've been here 19 years, and we're a small community. I don't call them residents. I call them family." He added, "I broke down. I probably know every one of the victims." The town’s sense of unity was echoed by Reverend George Rowe, who visited the recreation center where families anxiously awaited word about their loved ones. "It was not a pretty sight. Families are still waiting to hear if it’s their child that’s deceased," Rowe told the Associated Press.
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the nation on February 11, expressing deep sorrow and solidarity. "Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you, and Canada stands by you," Carney said, as reported by the Associated Press. He announced that flags at government buildings would be flown at half-staff for seven days in honor of the victims. Carney also cancelled planned trips to Halifax and Munich, underscoring the gravity of the tragedy. British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed his condolences, urging residents to "look after the people of Tumbler Ridge tonight."
The shooting has forced both the secondary school and the local elementary school to close for the remainder of the week. The school district and local officials are working to provide counseling services and support for students, staff, and families grappling with the aftermath.
School shootings are rare in Canada, which has strict gun-control laws. The government has responded to previous mass shootings by broadening bans on firearms it considers assault weapons. The Tumbler Ridge tragedy is the deadliest in the country since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks, which left 22 dead, and is surpassed only by the 1989 Montreal massacre at École Polytechnique, where 14 women were killed. As noted by AFP and the Associated Press, the incident has reignited discussions about gun control, mental health, and community safety across Canada.
The shooter’s mother, Jennifer Strang, had described herself as a “conservative-leaning libertarian” and was an advocate for trans-inclusive policies, according to CTV News and social media posts. In a July 2024 Instagram post, she wrote, "I really hope the hate I see online is just bored old people and not true hatred. Do better and educate yourself before spewing bulls–t online. Do you have any idea how many kids are killing themselves over this kind of hate?" She concluded with the hashtag #ProtectTransKids, a message that now carries a tragic poignancy.
While authorities continue to investigate the shooter’s motives and the sequence of events, the community of Tumbler Ridge faces a long road to healing. The pain is raw, the questions many, but the resilience of this small town is already evident in the outpouring of support from neighbors, officials, and Canadians nationwide. For now, the corridors of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and the hearts of its residents will never be quite the same.