Maps
Magazine

WORLD NEWS

Deadly School Shooting in Canada’s Tumbler Ridge Leaves 8 Dead, Suspect Dead
Tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, Canada: 18-year-old suspect kills 8, including mother and stepbrother, before attacking her former school. Dozens injured; suspect dies by suicide. Nation mourns one of Canada’s deadliest shootings.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-12
Deadly School Shooting in Canada’s Tumbler Ridge Leaves 8 Dead, Suspect Dead

A deadly shooting at a school in the remote Canadian community of Tumbler Ridge has left eight people dead, including the suspect, who took her own life, authorities said Wednesday. Dozens were also injured in one of the deadliest school attacks in Canadian history.

The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, reportedly had a history of mental health issues. Police said she first killed her mother, 39, and her 11-year-old stepbrother at their home before heading to her former school.

“Police had attended that residence on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect,” said Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

At the school, Van Rootselaar shot a 39-year-old teacher along with three 12-year-old female students and two male students, aged 12 and 13. Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun at the scene. Several victims remain hospitalized, including a 12-year-old girl critically injured.

Authorities described Tumbler Ridge as a tight-knit community of 2,400 residents, where “everybody knows everybody.” Mayor Darryl Krakowka said residents were rallying to support one another.

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed deep sorrow over the killings:

“We will get through this. We will learn from this,” he said, ordering flags at half-mast for seven days.

Van Rootselaar, who had begun identifying as female six years ago, had previously attended the school but dropped out four years ago. Police confirmed that the suspect acted alone and did not have information suggesting anyone was specifically targeted.

Canada, which has stricter gun laws than the United States, has rarely experienced school shootings of this magnitude. The last comparably deadly attacks include the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage, which claimed 22 lives, and the 1989 Montreal massacre, in which 14 female students were killed.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released a motive. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of young lives, including 12-year-olds Abel Mwansa and Kylie May Smith.

“Pray for the other families who have lost a child, or are waiting to hear news,” wrote a resident on social media.

Police noted that firearms had been seized from the suspect’s family residence two years ago but were later returned following a successful appeal.

The shooting has prompted expressions of condolence from world leaders, including King Charles of the United Kingdom, who described himself as “profoundly shocked and saddened.”
Tagged:

Canada

SchoolShooting

MentalHealthAwareness

TumblerRidge
Share News: