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2026 Tumbler Ridge shooting

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2026 Tumbler Ridge shootings
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640m
698yds
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School
Perpetrator's home
File:Canada British Columbia location map.svg
Location55°07′57″N 121°00′06″W / 55.1326°N 121.0018°W / 55.1326; -121.0018 (Fellers Avenue)
55°07′26″N 121°00′06″W / 55.1238°N 121.0016°W / 55.1238; -121.0016 (Tumbler Ridge Secondary School)
Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
DateFebruary 10, 2026 (2026-02-10)
c. 2:20 p.m. MST (UTC−07:00)
Attack type
Weapons
Deaths9 (2 at the perpetrator's home; 7 at the school, including the perpetrator)
Injured27
PerpetratorJesse Van Rootselaar
MotiveUnder investigation[2]

On February 10, 2026, a mass shooting occurred in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. Eighteen-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar killed two relatives at a residence before killing five students and a teacher at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Van Rootselaar, an ex-student at the school, subsequently died from a self-inflicted gunshot at the school. Twenty-seven others were injured.[3][4]

The incident was the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the Nova Scotia attacks in 2020,[5] and the deadliest school shooting in Canada since the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989.[6]

Background

Tumbler Ridge Secondary School is a public secondary school operated by School District 59 Peace River South and is the designated secondary school for the town's primary school. The provincial government website lists the school as having 191 students from grades 7 to 12 for the 2025/2026 school year.[7] After the shooting, Tumbler Ridge counselor Chris Norbury described the community as "an incredibly safe community... we don't have to worry about crime here."[8]

Gun control in Canada was significantly increased with the passage of the Firearms Act in 1995, following the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal.[9][10] Following the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks, gun control across Canada was further increased, with the sale, transportation, importation or use of certain models of "assault-style" firearms banned via an order in council.[11][12] The RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program is tasked with enforcing the Act.[13]

Attacks

Domestic shooting

An initial attack at a residence on Fellers Avenue resulted in the deaths of the attacker's mother and step-brother.[4][14] The police had already been called to the school when they were alerted of this attack by a family member.[15]

School shooting

Van Rootselaar then went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and opened fire, first killing a victim in a stairwell. She then killed five students in the school's library before committing suicide by gunshot.[16] At approximately 2:20 p.m. MST,[17] RCMP received a report of an active shooter at the school, which is approximately 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) away from the private residence. An alarm was raised in the school instructing students to close the doors for a lockdown. Students then barricaded the doors with tables.[18][19]

An emergency alert was released by the RCMP at around 3:15 p.m. MST, asking residents to shelter in place due to the active shooter situation. Other schools in the area were placed on lockdown. The police emergency alert was cancelled at 6:45 p.m MST.[20][21] Premier of British Columbia David Eby said the police reached the school within two minutes.[22]

Victims

Six victims were found dead inside the school; a seventh was mistakenly reported as deceased en route to the hospital, but survived.[23] The deceased victims at the school were identified as a 39-year-old female educator, three female students all aged 12, and two male students aged 12 and 13.[24][25][26] Two victims were found dead at a residence in Tumbler Ridge.[27] RCMP confirmed that they were the perpetrator's mother and step-brother, aged 39 and 11 respectively,[28][29] and that they had been shot before the perpetrator attacked the school.[30]

Twenty-seven other people were treated for injuries, including two with serious injuries.[27][31] A Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service aircraft was dispatched from Grande Prairie, Alberta. In a press conference, the British Columbia RCMP confirmed that two victims were airlifted outside Tumbler Ridge; however, they did not state their destination.[32][2][33] One of these two victims, a 12-year-old girl, was airlifted to British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver.[34] Her family said that she remained in critical condition after having been shot in the head and neck.[35]

Perpetrator

The shooter, initially described by the RCMP as "a female in a dress with brown hair",[36][37] was later identified by RCMP deputy commissioner Dwayne McDonald as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar of Tumbler Ridge.[28][19] Van Rootselaar dropped out of school about four years prior;[38] investigators do not believe she was bullied in school.[39]

The Van Rootselaar family was known to authorities; the police had last visited the home in the spring regarding mental health issues.[23] The perpetrator had previously held a valid minor's firearm licence,[40] which allows for borrowing a non–restricted firearm; it had expired in 2024. She was not the owner of any firearms because acquiring and possessing firearms is not allowed with a minor's licence.[41][42] Van Rootselaar had a history of poor mental health and police had responded several times previously for mental health-related calls.[28] RCMP confirmed that in a previous police visit in the past two years, "firearms were seized under the Criminal Code", but that "the lawful owner of those firearms petitioned for them to be returned, and they were."[43]

Investigation

Premier David Eby and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger at a press conference the day of the shooting

RCMP superintendent Ken Floyd stated at a press conference the day of the shooting that they were investigating how the shooter was connected to the victims.[22] McDonald said in a February 11 press conference that police believed that Van Rootselaar had acted alone, and that they had not found a note or other communication from the shooter.[44] Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun from the school.[39]

Aftermath

Later on the same day, School District 59 Peace River South announced that both schools in Tumbler Ridge would remain closed for the rest of the week.[45]

Reactions

Domestic

Several Canadian politicians released statements offering their condolences to those affected by the shootings, including Canadian prime minister Mark Carney,[46] BC premier David Eby,[47] Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer,[48] and Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld[49] (the latter two's ridings encompassing Tumbler Ridge). Carney cancelled his imminent trip to the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Europe,[50] and announced that flags would be flown at half-mast on federal buildings and Parliament Hill for seven days.[51] King Charles III of Canada[52] and the Canadian Olympic Committee also expressed their condolences. At the time of the shooting, the Canadian team was competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics.[53] Immediately following the shootings, BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger declared that her office would "deploy every resource" to support the investigation.[54]

International

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, Estonian president Alar Karis, French president Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy,[55] Indian prime minister Narendra Modi,[56] South Korean president Lee Jae-Myung,[57] New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon,[58] Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenković,[59] UK prime minister Keir Starmer, and US ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra offered their condolences.[60][61]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Police identify Tumbler Ridge mass shooter, correct death toll to 9". castanet.net. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "10 dead, including suspect, after active shooter incident in Tumbler Ridge, B.C." CBC News. February 10, 2026. Archived from the original on February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  3. ^ "A List of Some School Shootings That Happened in Canada Before Tumbler Ridge". Global News. The Canadian Press. February 10, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Morris, Jim; Gillies, Rob (February 11, 2026). "Shooter in Canada kills 9 people and injures 25 others at a school and home". AP News. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  5. ^ Morris, Jim; Gilles, Rob (February 11, 2026). "Canada in shock after one of the country's worst mass shootings". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  6. ^ Hall, Richard (February 11, 2026). "Canada Reels From Deadliest School Shooting in Decades". Time. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  7. ^ "Tumbler Ridge Secondary Contextual Information". Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  8. ^ "'We all know the victims,' says local town councillor". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  9. ^ Pavlou, Devin (February 11, 2026). "Canada tightened gun laws after tragedy. The results are mixed". Straight Arrow News. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  10. ^ Rathjen, Heidi; Montpetit, Charles (1999). December 6: From the Montreal Massacre to Gun Control. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart. ISBN 0-7710-6125-0.
  11. ^ Isai, Vjosa (February 11, 2026). "Canada Launched Major Gun Reforms in 2020 After Its Deadliest Mass Shooting". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  12. ^ Ballingall, Alex (June 26, 2020). "Ottawa will let gun owners keep 'military-style' firearms despite nationwide ban". thestar.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  13. ^ "Firearms". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  14. ^ "LIVE: Teacher, five students among those killed, Shooter identified, Tumbler Ridge shooting victim 'fighting for her life'". Vancouver Sun. February 11, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  15. ^ "Police name suspect and release details after Tumbler Ridge shootings". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  16. ^ "Tumbler Ridge school shooting: police identify suspect in Canada attack as 18-year-old local resident – as it happened". The Guardian.
  17. ^ "Update: Tumbler Ridge fatal shootings". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. February 11, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  18. ^ "Grade 12 student recalls 'surreal' lockdown during deadly school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C." CBC News. February 10, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b "Canada shooting latest: Nine killed and 25 injured in shootings at school and home in Tumbler Ridge". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  20. ^ "Update: Police Emergency Alert incident in Tumbler Ridge cancelled". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. February 10, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  21. ^ "Lockdown and Secure and Hold at TRSS & TRE - February 10, 2026". School District 59. February 10, 2026. Archived from the original on February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b Morris, Jim; Rob, Gillies (February 11, 2026). "Shootings at school and home in Canada leave 10 dead, including suspect". www.uppermichiganssource.com. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b Stevis-Gridneff, Matina; Isai, Vjosa; Baskar, Pranav (February 11, 2026). "Canada Updates: Police Identify Suspect in Mass Shooting". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  24. ^ "More details issued about the victims". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  25. ^ "Family of girl, 12, remembers 'beautiful, kind, innocent soul' killed in Tumbler Ridge mass shooting". National Post. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  26. ^ Kirkey, Sharon (February 11, 2026). "Tumbler Ridge shooting victim, 12, 'loved being at school' before he was 'murdered in cold blood,' father says". National Post. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b Judd, Amy (February 10, 2026). "Tumbler Ridge B.C. School Shooting: 10 Dead Including Shooter, 27 Injured". Global News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b c Vanderdeen, Lauren (February 11, 2026). "Mounties have identified the suspect". CBC News. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  29. ^ "Two people found dead at local residence related to suspect". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  30. ^ "Incident at the residence occurred first, says officer". BBC News. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  31. ^ Brown, Rob (February 10, 2026). "Ten Dead, 25 Injured in Tumbler Ridge Mass School Shooting". Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  32. ^ "10 dead, including female suspect, in shootings at B.C. school and home". Calgary Journal. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  33. ^ "At least 10 confirmed dead, including suspect in Tumbler Ridge shooting, police say". CityNews Kitchener. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  34. ^ Brockman, Charles (February 11, 2026). "Tumbler Ridge: Surviving victim's family speaks out". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  35. ^ Lambie, Chris (February 11, 2026). "Tumbler Ridge school shooting leaves 12-year-old girl 'fighting for her life' in B.C." The National Post. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  36. ^ "10 dead, including suspect, after school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.: RCMP". CTV News. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  37. ^ "Multiple victims after shooting at high school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., RCMP say". The Globe and Mail. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  38. ^ Vanderdeen, Lauren (February 11, 2026). "RCMP identify perpetrator in B.C. mass shooting that left 9 dead, 27 injured". CBC News.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b "Canada shooting latest: Police name suspect in Canada school shooting as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  40. ^ "Canada School Killer, 18-Year-Old Trans Woman, First Shot Mother, Step-Brother At Home". NDTV. February 12, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ "Minor's Licence". Canadian Firearms Program. Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Archived from the original on August 9, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  42. ^ "Suspect 'did not have any firearms registered', says deputy commissioner". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  43. ^ "Police attended suspect's family home multiple times". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  44. ^ Saltman, Max (February 11, 2026). "Police say they do not know the motive behind the shooting". CNN. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  45. ^ "TUMBLER RIDGE SECONDARY AND TUMBLER RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED". School District 59. February 10, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  46. ^ Jussinoja, Kaija (February 11, 2026). "10 dead, including suspect, after mass shooting at northern B.C. high school". CTV News. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  47. ^ Kulkarni, Akshay (February 11, 2026). "'This is the kind of thing that feels like it happens in other places,' premier says". CBC. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  48. ^ @bobzimmermp (February 10, 2026). "Words can't express the tragedy that has unfolded today in Tumbler Ridge. Full details are still forthcoming and we will know more in the days to come. My sincere thoughts and prayers go out for the victims still in hospital and for those Tumbler Ridge families who have lost loved ones today. We mourn with you ❤️" (Tweet). Retrieved February 11, 2026 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ Neufeld, Larry. "Standing with Tumbler Ridge in grief, strength, and solidarity". Facebook. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  50. ^ Morrison, Catherine. "Carney cancels trip to Europe following B.C. school shooting". Castanet. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  51. ^ Tasker, John Paul (February 11, 2026). "An emotional Carney says 'the nation mourns,' orders flags at half-mast after B.C. shooting". CBC News. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  52. ^ Cunningham, Anna (February 11, 2026). "Royal Family among world leaders sending condolences after Tumbler Ridge mass shooting". CBC News. Retrieved February 11, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  53. ^ "Team Canada Statement regarding Tumbler Ridge". Team Canada. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  54. ^ "Tumbler Ridge school shooting: nine dead after 'devastating' attack; Canada police say shooter found deceased – latest updates". The Guardian. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  55. ^ "'Deeply shaken': French, Australian and German leaders send condolences to Canada". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  56. ^ "'India stands in solidarity with Canada': PM Modi offers condolences after 10 die in British Columbia school shooting". The Times of India. February 11, 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  57. ^ "Lee offers condolences over deadly school shooting in Canada". The Korea Herald. February 11, 2026. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026.
  58. ^ @chrisluxonmp (February 11, 2026). "Tonight, my thoughts are with the victims of the devastating shooting in Canada, as well of course as their loved ones" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  59. ^ "Sućut predsjednika Vlade u povodu smrtonosne pucnjave u školi u Kanadi". Vlada (in Croatian). Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  60. ^ "UK PM Starmer expresses condolences to Mark Carney following fatal shooting". BBC News. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  61. ^ Fallico, Adriana (February 11, 2026). "World leaders react to 'senseless' Tumbler Ridge shooting: 'Horror has struck'". Global News. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
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