2026 Tumbler Ridge Shooting
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
TIME PERIOD
February 10, 2026
VICTIMS
9 confirmed
On February 10, 2026, a mass shooting occurred in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, including the perpetrator, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar. The incident began at approximately 2:20 p.m. MST at Van Rootselaar's residence, where he killed two people before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where he fatally shot six others, including five students aged 12-13 and a teacher, before taking his own life. In total, 27 others were injured in the attack, marking it as the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks and the most lethal school shooting since the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and law enforcement continues to gather evidence and assess the community's response to this tragic event.
Theories surrounding the Tumbler Ridge shooting include speculation about Jesse Van Rootselaar's motivations, with some suggesting that personal grievances or mental health issues may have played a role in the attack. Others believe that the choice of targeting a school indicates a desire for notoriety or revenge against the educational system. There is also discussion about the adequacy of mental health support and gun control measures in preventing such tragedies in the future.
Tragedy in Tumbler Ridge: The 2026 Mass Shooting
A Quiet Community Shattered
On the afternoon of February 10, 2026, the small town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, was forever changed. An 18-year-old named Jesse Van Rootselaar embarked on a horrific rampage that would become the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks and the most grievous school shooting since the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre.
The Unfolding Horror
The sequence of violence began at the Van Rootselaar family residence on Fellers Avenue. Jesse Van Rootselaar, armed with a long gun and a modified handgun, fatally shot her mother and step-brother, ages 39 and 11, respectively. This brutal act was just the beginning.
At approximately 2:20 p.m. MST, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, situated about 1.5 kilometers from the family home. The chaos unfolded swiftly. Students, instructed by an alarm, barricaded themselves in classrooms, using tables for protection. Meanwhile, the RCMP issued an emergency alert, urging residents to shelter in place as schools throughout the area went into lockdown.
Premier of British Columbia David Eby later confirmed that police reached the school within two minutes. However, by then, Jesse Van Rootselaar had killed six more individuals inside the school: a 39-year-old teacher and five students, all aged between 12 and 13. Tragically, Van Rootselaar ended her own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the school premises.
The Victims and the Wounded
The victims' identities painted a picture of a senseless tragedy. Besides the two family members killed at the residence, the school victims included a beloved teacher and five young students. A seventh victim, initially reported deceased, was found to be alive, battling critical injuries. In total, the attack left 27 people injured, two of whom sustained serious injuries. Emergency services swiftly mobilized, with a Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service aircraft dispatched from Grande Prairie, Alberta. One critically injured 12-year-old girl was airlifted to British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver, fighting for her life after sustaining gunshot wounds to the head and neck.
A Perpetrator's Profile
Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was identified as a trans woman by RCMP deputy commissioner Dwayne McDonald, had a troubled history. The 18-year-old had dropped out of school around 2022 and had a record of mental health issues, prompting previous police interventions. Although Van Rootselaar once held a minor's firearm license, it had expired in 2024. The license, which permitted borrowing ordinary firearms, did not authorize ownership of firearms, particularly handguns. Past police visits to the Van Rootselaar household had resulted in the seizure of firearms, only for them to be returned to the lawful owner following a petition.
Investigative Efforts
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the investigation sought to untangle the connections between Van Rootselaar and her victims. Deputy Commissioner McDonald stated that Van Rootselaar acted alone, and no notes or communications were discovered to explain her motive. The police recovered both a long gun and a modified handgun from the school scene, crucial evidence in understanding the tools of this tragedy.
The Community's Response
The aftermath of the shooting saw both schools in Tumbler Ridge closed for the remainder of the week. The shock resonated far beyond the town's borders, sparking reactions from political leaders and citizens alike. Prime Minister Mark Carney and BC Premier David Eby were among those who offered condolences, and flags were lowered to half-mast on federal buildings. The global community, including leaders from Australia, Estonia, France, Germany, Ukraine, India, South Korea, and the UK, also expressed their sympathies.
Moving Forward
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is a stark reminder of the fragile safety we often take for granted. As investigations continue into the motives and circumstances surrounding this horror, the town and nation grapple with the profound loss and the long path to healing.
Sources
For further information, visit the original article on Wikipedia.
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Mass Shooting Begins
Jesse Van Rootselaar kills two family members at home before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
School Shooting
Van Rootselaar kills six at the school, including five students and one teacher, before taking her own life.
Emergency Alert Issued
RCMP issues an emergency alert for residents to shelter in place due to the active shooter situation.
Police Response
RCMP arrives at the school within two minutes of receiving the report of an active shooter.
Victims Identified
RCMP confirms the identities of the victims, including the suspect's mother and step-brother.
Investigation Announced
RCMP begins investigation into the motive and connections between the shooter and the victims.
Community Mourning
Local and national leaders express condolences and support for the victims and community.
Schools Closed
School District 59 announces closure of schools in Tumbler Ridge for the rest of the week.
On February 10, 2026, a mass shooting occurred in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, including the perpetrator, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar. The incident began at approximately 2:20 p.m. MST at Van Rootselaar's residence, where he killed two people before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where he fatally shot six others, including five students aged 12-13 and a teacher, before taking his own life. In total, 27 others were injured in the attack, marking it as the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks and the most lethal school shooting since the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and law enforcement continues to gather evidence and assess the community's response to this tragic event.
Theories surrounding the Tumbler Ridge shooting include speculation about Jesse Van Rootselaar's motivations, with some suggesting that personal grievances or mental health issues may have played a role in the attack. Others believe that the choice of targeting a school indicates a desire for notoriety or revenge against the educational system. There is also discussion about the adequacy of mental health support and gun control measures in preventing such tragedies in the future.
Tragedy in Tumbler Ridge: The 2026 Mass Shooting
A Quiet Community Shattered
On the afternoon of February 10, 2026, the small town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, was forever changed. An 18-year-old named Jesse Van Rootselaar embarked on a horrific rampage that would become the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks and the most grievous school shooting since the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre.
The Unfolding Horror
The sequence of violence began at the Van Rootselaar family residence on Fellers Avenue. Jesse Van Rootselaar, armed with a long gun and a modified handgun, fatally shot her mother and step-brother, ages 39 and 11, respectively. This brutal act was just the beginning.
At approximately 2:20 p.m. MST, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, situated about 1.5 kilometers from the family home. The chaos unfolded swiftly. Students, instructed by an alarm, barricaded themselves in classrooms, using tables for protection. Meanwhile, the RCMP issued an emergency alert, urging residents to shelter in place as schools throughout the area went into lockdown.
Premier of British Columbia David Eby later confirmed that police reached the school within two minutes. However, by then, Jesse Van Rootselaar had killed six more individuals inside the school: a 39-year-old teacher and five students, all aged between 12 and 13. Tragically, Van Rootselaar ended her own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the school premises.
The Victims and the Wounded
The victims' identities painted a picture of a senseless tragedy. Besides the two family members killed at the residence, the school victims included a beloved teacher and five young students. A seventh victim, initially reported deceased, was found to be alive, battling critical injuries. In total, the attack left 27 people injured, two of whom sustained serious injuries. Emergency services swiftly mobilized, with a Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service aircraft dispatched from Grande Prairie, Alberta. One critically injured 12-year-old girl was airlifted to British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver, fighting for her life after sustaining gunshot wounds to the head and neck.
A Perpetrator's Profile
Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was identified as a trans woman by RCMP deputy commissioner Dwayne McDonald, had a troubled history. The 18-year-old had dropped out of school around 2022 and had a record of mental health issues, prompting previous police interventions. Although Van Rootselaar once held a minor's firearm license, it had expired in 2024. The license, which permitted borrowing ordinary firearms, did not authorize ownership of firearms, particularly handguns. Past police visits to the Van Rootselaar household had resulted in the seizure of firearms, only for them to be returned to the lawful owner following a petition.
Investigative Efforts
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the investigation sought to untangle the connections between Van Rootselaar and her victims. Deputy Commissioner McDonald stated that Van Rootselaar acted alone, and no notes or communications were discovered to explain her motive. The police recovered both a long gun and a modified handgun from the school scene, crucial evidence in understanding the tools of this tragedy.
The Community's Response
The aftermath of the shooting saw both schools in Tumbler Ridge closed for the remainder of the week. The shock resonated far beyond the town's borders, sparking reactions from political leaders and citizens alike. Prime Minister Mark Carney and BC Premier David Eby were among those who offered condolences, and flags were lowered to half-mast on federal buildings. The global community, including leaders from Australia, Estonia, France, Germany, Ukraine, India, South Korea, and the UK, also expressed their sympathies.
Moving Forward
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is a stark reminder of the fragile safety we often take for granted. As investigations continue into the motives and circumstances surrounding this horror, the town and nation grapple with the profound loss and the long path to healing.
Sources
For further information, visit the original article on Wikipedia.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting Begins
Jesse Van Rootselaar kills two family members at home before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
School Shooting
Van Rootselaar kills six at the school, including five students and one teacher, before taking her own life.
Emergency Alert Issued
RCMP issues an emergency alert for residents to shelter in place due to the active shooter situation.
Police Response
RCMP arrives at the school within two minutes of receiving the report of an active shooter.
Victims Identified
RCMP confirms the identities of the victims, including the suspect's mother and step-brother.
Investigation Announced
RCMP begins investigation into the motive and connections between the shooter and the victims.
Community Mourning
Local and national leaders express condolences and support for the victims and community.
Schools Closed
School District 59 announces closure of schools in Tumbler Ridge for the rest of the week.