Mass Shooting in Canadian School Leaves Community Reeling. Jesse Strang Van Rootselaar who is known as her transitioal name of “Jesse Van Rootselaar” has been named as suspect of Tumbler School Shooting.
10th February 2026 Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia
In what Canadian officials are calling one of the deadliest school shootings in the nation’s history, a gunman opened fire in a remote British Columbia community on Tuesday afternoon, killing multiple people and injuring dozens in a tragedy that has shaken the small town of about 2,700.
At approximately 1:20 p.m. local time, an 18-year-old identified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as Jesse Van Rootselaar began a rampage that spanned a private residence and Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Officials say the attacker first killed two people at a home believed to be connected to her, before moving on to the school.
Inside the school, the violence continued with devastating effect. Authorities confirmed that six victims were found deceased within the building, including a teacher and students aged just 12 to 13, and one more died en route to medical care.
The alleged shooter was later found dead at the scene from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In total, nine individuals lost their lives in the combined attacks, not including the suspect, and around 27 people were wounded, with at least two suffering serious injuries. Two firearms — a long gun and a modified handgun — were recovered from the scene.
Community in Shock
Tumbler Ridge, nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies and known more for its rugged natural beauty than violence, was plunged into disbelief. Mayor Darryl Krakowka, visibly shaken, described the town as “one big family” and said he probably knew every one of the victims personally.
Students and staff at the school had barricaded classrooms and followed lockdown procedures as police raced to the scene. Local accounts describe scenes of fear and confusion as emergency alerts sounded across the region.
Suspect Profile and Investigation
Police have said that Van Rootselaar, who had previously dropped out of the local secondary school about four years ago, had a history of mental health concerns, and officers had been called to her home on several occasions before the attack.
Authorities have not released a confirmed motive, and investigations into the precise circumstances and timeline continue.
Officials stressed that at this time they do not believe there were additional suspects or an ongoing threat to the wider public.
National and International Response
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, visibly affected by the tragedy, addressed the nation, calling the event a profound national loss and ordering flags at government buildings to be flown at half-mast for a week.
Carney canceled international travel plans to remain with a grieving nation.
Messages of sympathy and solidarity have poured in from abroad. His Majesty King Charles III and members of the British royal family issued messages of support for the victims and the community, praising first responders and offering heartfelt condolences to families affected by the shootings.
A Nation Mourns
School shootings are rare in Canada, where gun laws are significantly stricter than in many other countries. But the scale and brutality of the Tumbler Ridge attack — the deadliest in the country since the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting — has reignited debate over gun violence, mental health, and community safety.
As grief ripples from this quiet Rocky Mountain town to the rest of the country and beyond, Tumbler Ridge faces the slow, painful task of healing.
Counseling services have been swiftly mobilized for students, families, and first responders, and schools in the region will remain closed through the week as the community mourns.
