Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia is reeling after a coordinated shooting on , left eight people dead, including the perpetrator. The suspect, identified as by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, died by suicide after a series of attacks that began at a private residence and culminated at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
According to RCMP statements, Van Rootselaar first killed her morning her morning her mother, aged , and her -year-old half-brother at their home. She then proceeded to the school, where she fatally shot five students and one teacher before turning the gun on herself. Police initially reported six student fatalities but later corrected the number to five, after a critically injured woman was mistakenly included in the initial count.
The victims at the school included three -year-old girls, a -year-old boy, a -year-old boy, and a -year-old female teacher. Families are beginning to publicly mourn their losses. Sarah Lampert spoke of her -year-old daughter, Ticaria, describing her as having a “beautiful, strong voice that was silenced.” The family of -year-old Zoey Benoit remembered her as “resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl you could meet.” Peter Schofield mourned his -year-old grandson, Ezekiel.
The tragedy has deeply shaken the remote community of approximately residents, located kilometers north of Vancouver. Residents have repeatedly emphasized the close-knit nature of the town, expressing hope that their strong relationships will help them navigate the aftermath of the shootings. Pastor George Rowe stated, “This will not break us. I think we’re going to be okay.”
Authorities have confirmed that Van Rootselaar had a history of mental health issues and prior interactions with police. She had begun identifying as female six years prior to the attack, having been born male. Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald of the RCMP publicly used Van Rootselaar’s chosen name when identifying her as the suspect.
While investigators have not yet established a clear motive for the shootings, they have stated that they do not believe Van Rootselaar was specifically targeting anyone at the school. According to officials, no note or other communication has been found to shed light on her motivations.
The family home where the initial shootings occurred was the subject of police calls related to mental health and weapons in the past two years, according to the RCMP. The suspect’s estranged father, Justin Van Rootselaar, released a statement through CBC offering his condolences for what he described as a “senseless and unforgivable act of violence,” expressing a “sorrow that is difficult to put into words.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cancelled his scheduled attendance at the Munich Security Conference to address the nation following the shootings. Speaking to Parliament, Trudeau described the victims as having borne witness to “unheard-of cruelty,” and characterized Tumbler Ridge as a town representing “the very best of Canada: resilient, compassionate and strong.”
The town of Tumbler Ridge has requested privacy as it begins to process the tragedy. A sign was posted at the community centre on requesting media to stay away. Despite the grief, signs of life are returning to the community, with children playing hockey at the local ice rink.
A vigil for the victims is planned for outside the town hall in Tumbler Ridge.
