Police Identify 18-Year-Old as Suspect in Tumbler Ridge Shooting

On February 10, 2026, one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent Canadian history unfolded in the remote community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, leaving the nation reeling. Police have officially identified the suspect as an 18-year-old local resident, Jesse Van Rootselaar, following a violent rampage that resulted in multiple deaths and scores of injuries.

The Attack: Two Scenes, One Tragedy

The violence began in the early afternoon at a private residence in Tumbler Ridge, a town of approximately 2,400 people. Authorities later confirmed that the suspect first shot and killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother inside the home. Shortly thereafter, she drove to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where the attack escalated.

At the school, officers and emergency responders found scenes of chaos and devastation. According to police, the suspect shot multiple people, killing at least six individuals at the school, including a teacher and five students, all aged between 12 and 13. Around 25 others were wounded — many of them students — though most of the injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

Police confronted the suspect at the school and found her dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two firearms — a long gun and a modified handgun — were recovered at the scene as investigators began piecing together what happened.

Who Was the Suspect?

In a press conference on February 11, 2026, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that the suspect was 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a resident of Tumbler Ridge. Officials said she had acted alone and that there was no indication of any additional suspects or ongoing threats to the community.

According to police and local reporting:

Van Rootselaar was born biologically male but publicly identified as female and had been transitioning for several years.

She had previously dropped out of school and was not a current student at Tumbler Ridge Secondary.

Police had responded to her home on multiple occasions over recent years for mental health-related calls, including at least one previous apprehension under the provincial Mental Health Act.

Authorities stressed that her identity as transgender was mentioned only as part of the descriptive identification; there is no evidence linking her gender identity to a motive for the shooting. They noted efforts to respect her chosen name and identity while confirming factual details about the suspect’s background.

Past Interactions With Law Enforcement

Records shared by the RCMP indicate that police had reasons to check on the suspect’s wellbeing in the past. Some visits were reportedly tied to concerns about her mental health, and on at least one occasion, firearms in the home were seized under the Criminal Code but later returned after a lawful owner successfully petitioned for them.

Officials underscored that Van Rootselaar did not legally own firearms at the time of the shooting. Her firearms license had expired years earlier, and the weapons found at the scene were not registered to her.

These details have prompted questions and debate about how authorities handled previous interactions and mental-health warnings, though the RCMP has emphasized that a full investigation is underway and that it is premature to make definitive assessments until all facts are collected.

The Victims and Community Impact

The confirmed victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting include family members and innocent students and educators. Local officials and community members described the tragedies as devastating in a tight-knit town where many residents know each other personally.

Among those killed were:

A 39-year-old female teacher

Five students aged 12 to 13

The suspect’s mother and stepbrother

At least one critically injured victim was reported to be fighting for life in hospital following the shooting.

The town’s schools — both the secondary school and a nearby elementary school — were closed for the remainder of the week to allow for mourning and community support.

National Response

Canadian leaders expressed profound sorrow following the attack. Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered national flags to be flown at half-staff and postponed scheduled travel to remain accessible to officials responding to the crisis.

Community leaders called for unity and support for the families affected. Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka said the events were “devastating,” stressing that the entire community felt the weight of the tragedy.

As Canada grapples with this violence, discussions about gun control, mental health services, and school safety are expected to intensify. Although mass shootings are rare in Canada compared to other countries, this incident has reopened important conversations about preventive measures, law enforcement protocols, and mental health intervention systems.

What Comes Next

Police investigations into the motive and circumstances of the Tumbler Ridge shooting are ongoing. Officials have said it is too early to determine why Van Rootselaar carried out the attack, pending further evidence, interviews, and forensic analysis.

In the aftermath, communities across Canada are coming together to honor those lost and support the families left behind, even as questions about prevention and accountability loom large in public discourse.