Tumbler Ridge Shooting: Victims & Details of Canada School Attack

Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia – A mass shooting in the remote British Columbia community of Tumbler Ridge has left eight people dead, including the perpetrator, and at least 25 injured, prompting a wave of grief and a national conversation about gun violence and mental health support in Canada. The incident, which unfolded on February 10, 2026, is the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks and the deadliest school shooting since the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have identified the shooter as Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old woman. According to police, Van Rootselaar first shot her mother, aged 39, and her 11-year-old stepbrother at their home before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, approximately two kilometres away, where she killed five students and one teacher. She died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the school.

The RCMP responded to reports of an active shooter at the school at approximately 13:30 local time (20:30 GMT). Officers arrived on scene within two minutes of receiving the call, according to British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger, a response she believes “no doubt” saved lives. A separate call regarding the incident at the home was received at approximately 13:47 local time.

The small community of Tumbler Ridge, with a population of around 2,400, is reeling from the tragedy. Tumbler Ridge Secondary School serves students in Grades 7-12 and has a student body of approximately 160. The school and the surrounding area were placed on lockdown as police responded to the shooting.

Investigations are currently underway to determine the motive behind the attack. Police have stated they are examining the relationship between Van Rootselaar and the two family members she killed at her home, as well as the broader circumstances leading up to the shooting.

Reports indicate that police had visited the family home multiple times in the two years prior to the shooting, responding to concerns related to mental health and weapons. The extent to which these prior interactions may have played a role in the tragedy is currently under investigation.

Sources close to the investigation have revealed that Van Rootselaar had struggled with mental health issues. One report described the shooter as a 6ft tall transgender woman who had expressed a desire to be “petite.” This detail, while reported, does not currently appear to be directly linked to the motive for the shooting.

The incident has reignited the debate over gun control in Canada, which already has stricter gun laws than the United States. While details regarding the specific weapons used in the shooting are still emerging, authorities have confirmed the use of a long gun and a modified handgun. The availability of firearms and the potential for illegal modifications are likely to be key areas of focus in the aftermath of the shooting.

The tragedy also highlights the critical need for improved mental health services, particularly in rural communities where access to care can be limited. The fact that police had prior contact with the family due to mental health concerns raises questions about the adequacy of existing support systems and the challenges of identifying and intervening with individuals at risk of violence.

The Canadian government has expressed its condolences to the families and friends of the victims and has pledged to provide support to the community of Tumbler Ridge. The incident is expected to prompt a review of school safety protocols and mental health services across the country.

As of February 13, 2026, the names of the victims at the school have not been officially released by authorities, though local media have begun reporting names as they are confirmed by families. The community is gathering to grieve and support one another in the wake of this devastating event. The total casualty count, including the perpetrator, stands at nine dead and 27 injured, making this the highest casualty mass shooting event in Canadian history.