Police identify Tumbler Ridge, B.C. shooter, country in mourning

A shooting at a high school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Tuesday afternoon has led to the death of nine people, as well as the suspect, and at least 27 people injured.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) say they were called to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at around 1:20 p.m. following reports of an active shooter.

Dwayne McDonald, B.C. RCMP Deputy Commissioner, said as officers approached the school, rounds were fired in their direction.

RCMP say 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar shot at them after killing six people in the school – one female teacher, and five students – three girls and two boys between the ages of 13 and 17. Most of those killed at the school were only 13 or 14.

One person died while being transported to hospital.

Police say Van Rootselaar then killed herself as police entered the school, recovering a long gun and a handgun.

The province’s emergency health services says multiple resources were dispatched, including ground and air ambulances.

They add that paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to two patients who were transported by air to hospital — one is in critical condition and one is in serious but stable condition.

Just before those killings, RCMP say Van Rootselaar killed her mother and her brother or step-brother at the home they all lived in. Officers say they had visited the home many times over the last several years, as recently as last spring.

“Dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect,” McDonald said.

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RCMP say Van Rootselaar was previously taken multiple times to hospital for assessment under the Mental Health Act, and some of the police visits to the home were for guns. No charges were laid.

“Approximately a couple of years ago, firearms were seized,” McDonald said. “At a later point in time, the lawful owner of those firearms petitioned that the firearms be returned and they were.”

When asked about widespread reports the shooter was transgender, RCMP confirmed, saying Van Rootselaar was born a biological male before beginning a transition to female about six years ago.

“It’s too early to say whether that has any correlation in this investigation,” McDonald said.

Authorities say Van Rootselaar dropped out of school four years ago and was not related to any of the teens killed at the school. None of the victims have been identified by police.

A GoFundMe has been set up for a 12-year-old girl named Maya who has been identified by her mother on social media as one of the two people airlifted to hospital.

Residents had sheltered in place in community spaces and in their homes as officers searched for a suspect described as a “female in a dress with brown hair” in an alert.

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Investigators say they are currently “not in a place” to understand the shooter’s motivations at this time.

Officers say initially they were searching for a possible second suspect. The RCMP North District Commander later said the shooter acted alone, and they were the person described in the alert.

The remote community of Tumbler Ridge is around 1,200 km from Vancouver. According to Canada’s last census, its population was just under 2,400 people.

Wiping away tears, Tumbler RidgeLines journalist Trent Ernst said the small, tight-knit community of only a couple thousand people is reeling.

“I’ve learned the name of one of the victims, and it was someone that I know. It’s really devastating, I guess is the only word,” said Ernst.

Other locals are similarly shocked.

“It’s a very safe town. People don’t lock their homes. They don’t lock their cars,” said Jordon Kosik, Tumbler Ridge resident. “You can just go to your neighbor’s house, just walk right in.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended his plan to travel to Halifax and Munich, Germany following the shooting, saying in a statement that he was devastated by the horrific shooting, and he was joining Canadians in “grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today.”

He thanked first responders and said Canada’s “ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country — our empathy, our unity, and our compassion for each other.”

I am devastated by today’s horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence.

I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 11, 2026

Carney says messages of support from world leaders have poured in, including from King Charles who also issued a public statement writing:

“In such a closely connected town, every child’s name will be known and every family will be a neighbour. My wife and I stand in solidarity with the people of Tumbler Ridge and all Canadians as they seek understanding, healing and strength,” King Charles wrote.

The school district of Peace River South announced that the town’s secondary school and elementary school will be closed for the rest of the week.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath posted on X Wednesday morning, extending condolences to the community and to Mayor of Tumbler Ridge Darryl Krakowka, saying, “Please know that Hamilton is thinking of you during this incredibly difficult time.”

We are holding the community of Tumbler Ridge in our thoughts following yesterday’s tragic shooting.

On behalf of the @cityofhamilton, I extend my condolences to the victims, their loved ones, and to everyone impacted by this heartbreaking act of senseless violence.

To Mayor…

— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) February 11, 2026

The shooting is being considered as one of the deadliest mass casualties in Canada’s history.

Police say they are trying to figure out the motive for the shooting, and add they have found no note from Van Rottselaar.

Community Reaction

Shock and sadness about the Tumbler Ridge shooting and its victims has echoed across the country.

Prime Minister Carney has ordered flags be flown at half-mast for seven days. Besides Parliament Hill, flags were lowered across our region, including at Hamilton City Hall, Burlington City Hall and in St. Catharines.

School boards also sent out messages of condolences.

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board said they were “deeply saddened and are holding all those affected in our thoughts and prayers. This is a heartbreaking day for Canada, and our thoughts and deep condolences are with all those affected by this devastating incident.”

They’ve provided information to staff, families and students to help deal with the situation.

Director of Education, David Hansen said their emergency response protocols are regularly reviewed across the board.

The Niagara Catholic District School Board said, “we ask our loving God to wrap them and the community of Tumbler Ridge in his loving embrace today, and in the difficult days ahead.”

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