The small British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge is reeling after a mass shooting on , left nine people dead, including five students and a teacher at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The tragedy, one of the deadliest mass casualty events in Canadian history, has prompted a wave of grief and questions about the motive behind the attack.
The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, began the attack at a private residence, killing a 39-year-old woman and her 11-year-old son before moving to the school. At the school, Van Rootselaar fatally shot a 39-year-old female educator, three 12-year-old female students, a 12-year-old male student, and a 13-year-old male student. Van Rootselaar was later found dead at the school from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities have confirmed that Van Rootselaar identified as female, having begun a gender transition approximately six years prior to the shooting. Police stated they “identified the suspect as they chose to be identified” in public and on social media, acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding gender identity in the wake of the tragedy. Advocates are cautioning against linking the shooting to the shooter’s gender identity, emphasizing the need to avoid harmful speculation.
The incident has left 27 others injured, and the community is grappling with the scale of the loss. A 12-year-old girl remains in critical condition, with her mother sharing a heartbreaking message on Facebook stating doctors warned her daughter’s brain damage was too severe and she may not survive. The girl was reportedly attempting to lock a door when she was shot.
The town of Tumbler Ridge, population approximately 2,300, has largely shut down in the aftermath of the shooting. AFP journalists on the scene described deserted streets and closed businesses on , as a day of mourning was declared throughout British Columbia. Yellow police tape remains around the school and a nearby volleyball court, while residents largely avoid contact with the media.
Investigators have revealed that police had been called to the suspect’s residence several times in recent years due to “concerns” about Van Rootselaar’s “mental health.” However, a clear motive for the shooting remains under investigation. The incident is the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the Nova Scotia attacks in 2020, and the deadliest school shooting since the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989.
A vigil was held on , with residents gathering to lay flowers, candles, and stuffed animals near a tree. Emphraim Almazan, a resident who arrived in Tumbler Ridge three years ago for work, expressed disbelief at the tragedy. Kevin Matthews, a retired miner, emphasized the need for the community to support the grieving families.
The Canadian government is responding to the crisis. While the exact date of a visit from the Prime Minister is still being finalized in coordination with local authorities, the tragedy has prompted a national conversation about gun control and mental health support. Canada already has stricter gun laws than its American neighbor, including a ban on assault-style firearms and a freeze on handgun sales.
The incident has shaken Canada, a country unaccustomed to mass shootings of this scale. The province has declared a day of mourning, with official ceremonies canceled and a minute of silence observed at noon. The horrific events in Tumbler Ridge serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address mental health challenges.
