A devastating tragedy unfolded on February 10, 2026, in the remote community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. When an 18‑year‑old named Jesse Van Rootselaar carried out a mass shooting that left the town in shock and grief. The attack, which began at a family home and continued at a local secondary school, resulted in the deaths of nine people — including children, a teacher, and members of the suspect’s own family — and injured dozens of…A devastating tragedy unfolded on February 10, 2026, in the remote community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.

When an 18‑year‑old named Jesse Van Rootselaar carried out a mass shooting that left the town in shock and grief.

The attack, which began at a family home and continued at a local secondary school, resulted in the deaths of nine people — including children, a teacher, and members of the suspect’s own family — and injured dozens of others. Tumbler Ridge, a close‑knit community of roughly 2,400 residents nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is known more for its natural beauty and mining heritage than for violence.

The February shooting is now considered one of the deadliest in Canadian history and the worst school attack in the country in decades.

First Violence at a Family Home
The tragic sequence of events began earlier in the afternoon at a residence on Fellers Avenue in Tumbler Ridge. According to statements released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the suspected shooter murdered two people at this location before moving on to the school.

The victims at the home were identified as:

Jennifer Jacobs, 39 — the suspect’s mother

Emmett Jacobs, 11 — the suspect’s stepbrother

The killings at the home occurred before the suspect headed toward Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where the largest and most shocking part of the incident took place.

The School Attack
Around 1:20 p.m. local time, authorities received reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, a public secondary school serving grades 7 through 12 with an enrollment of under 200 students.

The suspect entered the campus armed with at least two firearms, including a long gun and a modified handgun recovered by police, and opened fire. RCMP officers responded within minutes, but not before multiple shots were fired inside the building.

Inside the school, police found six people deceased — five students and one adult — as well as the suspect, who was discovered dead from an apparent self‑inflicted gunshot wound.

Several others were wounded, with first responders continuing to treat and transport victims throughout the evening.

Victims at the School
By official confirmation from BC RCMP, the victims killed at the school included:

Abel Mwansa, 12

Ezekiel Schofield, 13

Kylie Smith, 12

Zoey Benoit, 12

Ticaria Lampert, 12

Shannda Aviugana‑Durand, 39 — an educational assistant

Two additional victims were airlifted to hospitals with life‑threatening injuries. As of initial reports, dozens more were treated for injuries and shock.

About the Suspect: Jesse Van Rootselaar
Police identified the suspected shooter as Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18‑year‑old local resident who had previously attended Tumbler Ridge Secondary School but had dropped out about four years earlier.

Law enforcement officials indicated that Van Rootselaar died at the school from a self‑inflicted wound shortly after the attack.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald publicly confirmed that Van Rootselaar had a history of mental health concerns and that police had visited the family residence on multiple occasions over several years due to welfare and safety concerns.

In one earlier visit, firearms were seized from the home under the Mental Health Act but were later returned after being petitioned back by a lawful owner.

Authorities noted that there was no clear motive identified at the time of early investigation, and there was no indication that specific individuals at the school were targeted.

Identity and Personal Background
Van Rootselaar was born biologically male and publicly identified as female, including on social media accounts and online profiles. Police initially described the suspect based on witness descriptions, later confirming identity following investigation.

The Immediate Explosion of Violence
The shooting unfolded rapidly, and students and teachers were caught off guard in a place normally associated with learning and safety.

Graham Stewart, a local education leader, described how classrooms were quickly locked and barricaded as the situation developed. Students used furniture to block doors while awaiting police assistance.

One student, 17‑year‑old Darian Quist, recounted the terror in his classroom as students and teachers tried to protect each other during the lockdown, highlighting the bravery and cooperation displayed by many of those trapped inside.

Another student, a 12‑year‑old girl named Maya Gebala, was reportedly critically injured while attempting to protect classmates by blocking the school’s library doors as the shooter approached.

Her family shared that she was shot while trying to keep others safe, a heroic act that underscored the human cost of the violence.

Community and National Response
The news of the shooting reverberated across Canada, where mass shootings are comparatively rare and often deeply shocking to the national psyche.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed lawmakers in Parliament, describing the tragedy as “a moment of deep national sorrow” and pledging federal support for communities affected by the violence.

Flags on government buildings were ordered to fly at half‑mast for seven days in memory of those killed.

In British Columbia, Premier David Eby also expressed condolences and emphasized the government’s commitment to understanding what happened, especially in light of Van Rootselaar’s known mental health history and previous police interactions.

Hundreds of mourners gathered both in Tumbler Ridge’s central square and at provincial memorials in Victoria to pay tribute to the victims and offer support to grieving families.

Community leaders spoke of unity and support, highlighting the importance of healing together after such an unimaginable event.

Locally, residents left flowers, teddy bears, candles, and handwritten notes at spontaneous memorials near the school and around town — poignant symbols of grief in a community where nearly everyone knows one another.

The Human Toll
The victims lost in Tumbler Ridge represented a broad cross‑section of life in the town: students just beginning their journeys, an experienced educator dedicated to helping young people grow, and a family irreversibly fractured by tragedy.

Families and friends described their loved ones with heart‑wrenching emotion. Families celebrated children for their kindness, intelligence, and potential, remembering them as “dreamers,” “friends,” and “future leaders.”

Community members held public vigils, memorial hockey games, and prayer services in honor of those who were killed.

The broader Canadian public shared in the grief, with messages of support and condolence pouring in from across provinces and municipalities, emphasizing that even in large nations, small communities’ losses are felt deeply by all.

Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the attack. Questions remain about how the weapons were obtained, what precipitated the violence, and what more could have been done to prevent it.

Police confirmed at early briefings that there was no manifesto or clear statement of motive discovered at the time, and that determining precise reasons might be complex and lengthy.

The shooting also reignited public conversations across Canada about mental health resources, school safety protocols, and gun access policies, even in a country that already has stricter firearm regulations than many of its neighbors.

Experts emphasize that addressing such tragedies involves not only emergency response and investigation but also long‑term support for survivors, families, first responders, and the broader community — individuals who may experience lasting trauma from witnessing or being near such horrific violence.

Healing and a Path Forward
In the days following the attack, Tumbler Ridge schools were closed to allow students, parents, and teachers time to grieve and begin recovery.

Counsellors and mental health professionals were deployed to the region, helping those directly affected cope with loss, anxiety, and fear.

Residents spoke of the tight bonds that characterize life in small towns — bonds that may help the community find strength in unity and mutual support.

“We look out for each other,” one resident told reporters, highlighting the ethos of care and connection that defines Tumbler Ridge.

National leaders also reiterated that healing from such a tragedy is not instantaneous. It requires sustained empathy, resources, and understanding — something that Canadians from coast to coast pledged to provide.

A Nation Mourns
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is now etched into Canada’s collective memory as a heartbreaking moment of loss, sorrow, and reflection.

It is a tragedy that touches not only the families who lost loved ones but also the broader network of communities and citizens who empathize deeply with their grief.

Even as authorities continue to investigate and answers are sought, the priority for many remains clear: supporting survivors, comforting those who mourn, and finding ways to ensure such violence is prevented in the future.

In the quiet moments after the tragedy, amid memorials and mourning, the people of Tumbler Ridge, and indeed all of Canada, are left to grapple with profound questions about safety, mental health, and community — questions that demand compassionate attention and thoughtful, evidence‑based responses.